Unions Close Down France: Where Are The Irish Unions?

by Miriam Thu Jan 29, 2009 18:27

We don't want any of that malarky here, now do we?

Headline 'Thousands strike' in march.!!!! The whole world knows its well over a million (by official estimates, themselves almost always and understatement.)

Text of the report goes on to acknowledge 'hundreds of thousands' however. So why the headline?

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0129/france.html

by . Thu Jan 29, 2009 21:34

.

Caption: Video Id: FsidnfopeB8 Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

by lulu Thu Jan 29, 2009 21:57

The bankers get bailed out & the workers get kicked out! Do ye think people will finally see this filthy rotten system for what it is?

by Michael. - Human League Thu Jan 29, 2009 22:34

Lu Lu .

We are in a different country than France . The 'Frenchies' know the real agenda of the Capitalist System .

The Capitalist System is a Basic Excuse for leeches to Sit On Their Fat Sirlion Steak Arses ( Brocolli and Spuds ) and the side dishes Including
Their 'Sweet' ' while they while away the early hours working out the ''Fiscal Year '' ahead and how best to Leave to Scrounge their way ,legally of course
in order to keep the ''Plebs'' down and Out . It Never Fails , and when the Ordinary Joe has the gall to speak out The Ordinary Joe is doing a Hari Kari
trying to keep Body And Soul intact and is as indespensible as Dirt .

We have seen how the Scroungers Operate , so cleverly, so legally and quite immune from any future comeback from within ,or outside Bravo's who
like many others have a price ,everything is for Sale and that includes our ''principals '' , principals that are born out of misguided thoughts only to bear
a price tag when the time is right .

by staunch statistician Thu Jan 29, 2009 23:30

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/29/france-gene...ssion

by bjork fan Thu Jan 29, 2009 23:37

http://www.thepropertypin.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1736...a8158

by on primetime Thu Jan 29, 2009 23:48

Mick Wallace - "I'm not paying any interest on my loans and I doubt anyone else is"
http://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/

by redjade Fri Jan 30, 2009 00:52

DM [ no not the one in africa somewhere ] lives in Paris and was in the protests today....

see his photo series: http://lmv.hu/node/3456

those ears are hungarian

by ec Fri Jan 30, 2009 00:58

more at link

by Miriam Fri Jan 30, 2009 02:29

Private and public sector workers join in strike

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0130/123....html

by Miriam Fri Jan 30, 2009 02:40

It was actually 2.5 million people!

http://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2009/01/29/mobili...tref=

by tonyc - none Fri Jan 30, 2009 03:16 cormicantony at gmail dot ie

the irish unions are, as always entrenched in the service of the public service, that is the safety net that can maintain them while the private sector implodes. The truth on the shop floor is that people are terrified, divided and the endemic bullying spiralling upwards. I totally agree with the author the partnership talks have castrated the union ideals we now reap the rewards for years of politicised unions deals that have stunted the labour and workers parties by removing our elected representatives from the negotiating table. The unions should have marched first and then sat at the table. We are screwed when these fat cats are our only hope to reign in an idiot government and impotent opposition.
This is the time for radical change to force all these numbskulls out I am making my stand now, for my kids and grandkids I am going for council elections this year, first time with no party affiliation or experience, idealists are not wrong or simple, merely braver.

by Miriam Fri Jan 30, 2009 07:07

Reports coming in from all over France:

http://www.france24.com/en/20090129-sarkozy-faces-black...sport

An 'avalanche' of protest all over!

http://eco.rue89.com/2009/01/29/le-tour-de-la-france-en...rains

Hope to have a slide show shortly.

by Karel Fri Jan 30, 2009 09:41

"... this (economic conquest) is the slowest to impose. It is often quite long lasting, as the captives do not see any military force arrayed against them, their religion is left more or less intact, they have freedom to speak and travel, and they participate in 'elections' for their rulers. Without realizing it, they are conquered, and the instruments of their own society are used to transfer their wealth to their captors and make the conquest complete." (From http://www.justiceplus.org/bankers.htm )

Bankers and politicians are betraying the people:

Google: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Bankers+and+politi...earch

Yahoo: http://uk.yhs.search.yahoo.com/avg/search?fr=yhs-avg&p=...eople

by Worker Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:26

This is a typical patronising post by someone who obviously has no interaction with trade unions or workers.

Whether you like it or not, workers have voted on mass to support the partnership process in Ireland. ICTU represent 832,000 workers who have democratically voted in favour of social partnership for over 20 years. Do you wish the unions to dismiss this democratic mandate, pull out of the talks and allow IBEC and Fianna Fail slash and burn the workers of Ireland? Because make no joke about it: this is exactly what would happen if the Unions were not involved in the process. The reason why the unions are on the streets in France is because they have no seat at the table when deciding policy affecting workers. Sarkosy can do what he wants, Cowen cannot.

Social partnership is one tool available to the unions, and they are absolutely corect to use it to their advantage (and they have a mandate to do do). They can pursue neccessary reforms, and in our current economic woes defend the rights of workers. If you want to win then you have to use all available strategies. Social partnership is one strategy amongst many others. It is the failure to recognise this that explains the failure of far left politics. Look what happened to the Unions in the UK under Thatcher when they took an isolationist approach that you advocate. Workers got fucked. Without partnership the same would have happened to Irish workers.

It is well documented that the department of finance are opposed to tax increases and want to sort out the public finances via massive wage cuts. If the unions adopted your advise this is exactly what would happen. Finance would love to see the unions pull out of talks. As a worker I am more than happy to have David Begg and Jack O'Connor defending my interests. The alternative is IBEC, Brian Cown, Brian Lenihan, Enda Kenny and Richard Bruton. It must be easy sitting in the ivory tower of far left isolationist politics. However, most workers do not have this luxury.

On a side note - The unions organised several marches/ demonstrations over the past few months. You seem to have a short - and selective memory. Again - using diverse strategies to win.

by Ferg - none Fri Jan 30, 2009 15:03

Now that the recession is on we need to think of solutions.How's this for starters
1 privatisation:this will lead to greater efficiency and will keep consumers happy
2 deregulation:let supply and demand decide everything.Let the invisible hand of the "market" do its thing.The financial sector would benefit most from this.
3 Competition,the more the better this will lead to lower prices and stimulate the economy
4 Lower taxes:this is the jewel in the crown.Cut taxes and two things wil happen,this will lead to more companies being set up and more money in the state's coffers for services etc.
5Keep on lowering corporation tax,the lower the better(just another take on number 4)
6Bend over backwards in order to bring in blue chip US companies...who'll only leave when they're broke like Dell
You could call this Harneyahernmcgreevy economics and in no time at all the country will be the envy of Europe.
On a more serious note how come a proper "financial" institution like the Credit Union isn't laying people off or getting handouts from the state?

by Anonymous Fri Jan 30, 2009 15:41

Pics of yesterday's strike from all over France:

http://picasaweb.google.com/redactioneco89/Manifestatio...eshow

Worker - it's not just about those who are members of unions - it's about all workers - many of whom are now unable to become members of unions such has been the failure of the SP. You don't speak for everyone. Why is it 'extreme left' to ask for decent, enforceable employment rights?

The rosy picture you paint of SP is nonsense. The union negotiators in the social partnership are far from workers' heros. Employment rights in Ireland are diminishing by the day - employment tribunals have become ever more brazen in upholding employer abuses - and union reps ever more feeble and disinterested in dealing with people on a case by case basis because almost without exception they are afraid to rock the management boat. Some unions even have a rule that a person cannot apply to join them if they are experiencing employer discrimination at the same time. The very moment when most people would think of joining a union!

IBEC has succeeded in neutering the unions by keeping them distracted with generalities and conceding relatively inexpensive privileges (not having league tables) while seriously weakening real rights. There are hundreds of examples. Even when the law is clearly being broken, unions are useless more often than not. Here is one of the most brazen, that I know of . A VEC in this country, year after year forces part-time teachers in education centres back onto unqualified rates at the beginning of each year - no matter how long they have been working there. They have to go through the same humiliating process each year - usually over several months - of proving their entitlements even though the HR department has already been sent copies of qualifications etc several times over. Meanwhile they are on reduced earnings. The same with new employees - the HR department will take months and some cases years to verify the salary level of people newly appointed to jobs. The union concerned, the TUI, is fully aware of this situation but does nothing about it. In fact the local rep recently told one member that the union was not interested in meeting with groups of people so affected and would only deal with people individually. Infuriating. Especially when the TUI knows full well that it has a much stronger case when a group of people is willing to come forward. The members affected all feel that the TUI just wants the money and the numbers but nothing else. The TUI might as well be IBEC in this example, given its behaviour.

I have no idea what it is like in other VECs but all over the country in different trades and employment environments,its the same: unions are not interested in fighting at the coal face for their members. These facts are independent of any political perspective, left or right. If there is anything 'extreme' about this situation it's the extreme indifference of the unions to their the members' plight that is the most urgent problem.

by Darren C Fri Jan 30, 2009 16:28

2.5 million French workers have struck in opposition to a whole host of "reforms" being pushed through by President Sarkozy. Marc Lassalle reports from Paris.

--clip

"What are the reasons of this powerful day of strikes and street mobilisations? The first reason is the fact that million of workers are extremely worried about the effect of the economic crises. While technically France has avoided sliding into a recession in the last quarter of 2008 by a few tenth of a point, the unemployment figures have soared by 100 000 in the last months. Production in several automobile plants has been suspended for several weeks, sometimes for over a month,. Others factories are simply being shut down and the workers sacked. However this is simply the tip of the iceberg. All over, the companies have been cutting the temporary contracts thereby increasing the “precarité” (insecurity) for hundred of thousands of workers

"The second reason lies in the politics of the government. Since his election two years ago, Sarkozy has been attacking the working class and imposing his “reforms”, which amount to the destruction of the public services and workers rights. He has done this whilst promising that workers will be able to “work more to earn more”, that he will be the “president of the purchasing power” (pouvoir d'achat). He has also promised to preserve full employment. Today all these promises are exposed for what they were: gigantic lies. While for years the official argument was that there is no money for any social projects, the governments has found on the spot € 360 billions to rescue the banks, and many billions more to help the major corporations. In what sounds like the sheerest provocation, the privatisation of the Post service will continue unabated."

Full article: http://www.fifthinternational.org/index.php?id=14,1495,...0,1,0

by Also a Worker - The Proletariat Fri Jan 30, 2009 16:43

Worker, your post in both tone and content reads like crib notes for a discussion of 'the current crisis' on the state radio. That in itself gets me suspicious. However, it's gratifying to see that you consider us poor benighted far-lefties worthy of a bit of evangelizing from the gospel of partnership, and it's good to see that you might be open to some degree of debate over these matters. The opportunity to debate with a real live trade union bureaucrat has been a very rare privilege for the ordinary citizen never mind worker these last 20-plus years of partnership. You have had more valuable things to attend to in all that time, like listening to our dear departed Cheap Leader Bertie Ahern's suicide jokes. Have you just come out for a smoke from Govt. Buildings?

The membership numbers you quote us are just numbers, Worker. How many of that number are active in union affairs beyond being mobilized intermittently by yourselves in order to be seen to be doing something 'militant' in times like these? From my own experience of several unionized workplaces over the last twenty years, the encouraged limit of involvement in union affairs for the ordinary worker is to pay your dues, vote when prompted every few years in the direction indicated by yours truly, and tug forelock at the works/office xmas party. The good union members and the odd concerned union full-timer I have met in my working life have kept my faith alive in trade unionism in spite of our current unions, institutions which appear to relish their IBEC-defined role of workplace police. With few exceptions, the union presence in Ireland's workplaces (where permitted by the bosses) is of low visibility and not at all pro-active in encouraging worker participation in union affairs or sorting out grievances. Even the union newspapers I was mailed had as much advertising of financial products (pension plans etc.- all probably now worthless!) and government press releases as any real news about the several unions I was a member of. The priorities of Ireland's senior trade unionists have been something other than the defence of our workplace/economic rights for a very long time now, and the defence of our class interests certainly is not identical with saving Ireland Inc. and stiffing us with the cost of their (and your) con-trick.

I remember once upon a time when the rulers and owners of Ireland Inc. were asked politely whether they would share their disproportionate gains from the good years, they said they wouldn't. I remember too that they advanced a reason for their super-rewards - it was that they ran proportionately more risks than the rest of us. 'If the market goes against us we could lose everything!'. Did you accept that reasoning back then, when all was rosy in the capitalists' garden? How untrue that turned out to be! Sean Fitzpatrick of Anglo-Irish Bank can be saved from the fiscal/legal consequences of his actions and walk off with a millionaire's pension to boot, but every week nearly two thousand working-class people are losing their jobs, and they sure as hell won't be allowed to keep their homes when the mortgages start falling into arrears! Let's not mention that the government has insured the mortgage, but let the bankers keep winning coming and going, we're all in it together! We weren't all in it together when times were good, but we are now when the s**t has truly hit the fan. Lifeboats this way! Fatcats and vested interests first! Labour keep waiting!

Your instinct in these crisis times for our class is not to fight the opportunistic onslaught of our enemies but rather seems to be to act with other vested interests to ensure the continued rule of the rich over us. Worker, because of your mouthing of IBEC's mantra of 'we're all in this together!' and 'we have to act now to save the banks/FDI/insert vested interest here or the economy will implode!' we are being set up to pick up the Irish ruling classes' tab from playing in the capitalist casino. Our class enemies can threaten economic Armageddon to get their way, but us workers are not allowed get one bit stroppy, not by them, and definitely not by you!

You, me and the rest of us are being force-fed this one-sided tripe from Ireland Inc. these days. It's designed to make us acquiesce in our own doom. The closer you are to the establishment, the harder this is to see.

It's sad to see that you've capitulated to them so early. I hope that you might recover in time, and that the damage you and people like you are doing to our class can be combatted in time to allow us a decent chance of a fight-back.

by Michael Gallagher Fri Jan 30, 2009 18:32

After attending many May Day marches over many years, the only one that showed the real strength and potential power of workers was the May Day parade of -was it in the Dublin Millennium year 1988? (open to correction).
What a fantastic turnout, not only by the participants of the parade -which was huge- but there was over a quarter of a million people on the streets watching it pass. It was the biggest attendance from participants and spectators of any May Day, even bigger than any Saint Patrick’s Day parade I have seen in Dublin. The one simple reason it was so big, is that the trade unions got behind the efforts to honour the founders of the trade union movements and the sacrifices made by them and workers down through the years on our behalf.
There were all sorts of floats depicting such diverse trades as the old iron works foundries to the modern day postal service.
Since then, the question has always dogged me as to why the trade union movement has not put the same effort in for every May Day, and even protest marches defending workers. If they even put half the energy that they put into that commemoration, it would be a far cry better than the pathetic attempts we have seen in a lot of the marches before then or since.

Apart from all that, I have a problem marching behind people like Jack O’Connor and David Begg, who have consistently betrayed workers down the years, and not only in their ’partnership deals’ with successive right wing led governments. I do not see any of these government lackeys capable of or willing to carry on the mantle of Larkin and Connolly. Workers have had to listen to a lot of hot air rhetoric down the years from these over paid big wigs of the trade union movement and the Labour Party, paid for by workers union subscriptions etc. Hot air, such as the call by ICTU for the nationalisation of Ireland’s major banks, as if the government was going to bow to their kind request.

Revolutionary actions such as the nationalisation of a country’s banks happen only when capitalist governments are forced into such actions, not requested with cap in hand! If ICTU were serious about defending workers interests and the Irish economy over that of capitalists, privatisation, job losses and cut backs, they would have done the necessary long ago.
The failed trade union leadership knows what power they possess in the sanctioning of more radical action or their ineffective half baked ‘socialism’. Larkin and Connolly, turning in their graves, must have made it to China and back a number of times by now!
The power to get workers on or keep them off the streets ultimately lies in the genuine socialist trade union activists dotted throughout the movement all over this island, and in the workers themselves. The workers only await the empowerment and belief in their own revolutionary instincts, it’s only a matter of time and through persistent informed persuasion that those instincts can be realised.
If Connolly or Larkin were in the same position as ‘our trade union leaders’, it doesn’t take a genius to work out what steps they would see as necessary for the implementation of the democratic control and accountability of our banks. That is one example of many more radical and revolutionary actions that the Irish working class is capable of.
Yes, what would Connolly and Larkin do in the present economic climate in this country?

It’s all too sickly ironic and perverse, in the hundredth year since the founding of the ITGWU, that our country is dripping in depth and our economy is in freefall, and the gap between the rich and poor gets wider and wider. Too many are feeling the pinch while others (the bankers etc) get away scot free along with handouts of taxpayer’s money.

So, in this year of the millennium of the founding of Larkin’s Irish workers union, we can expect lots of BIG things from SIPTU. Lots of BIG pomp and BIG celebrations, lots of BIG rounds of beer, BIG ballad singing, BIG slapping of backs and the throwing of BIG bouquets. Their will be plenty of BIG heads with BIG grins on smug mugs, with chests thrown out and fists clenched along with BIG hot air diatribe speeches. Expect lots more BIG pay days at the top tier of the unions.
And then what for the workers? More BIG sell-outs combined with BIG disappointments on many levels. Many more small May Day parades and small steps for workers in the workplace and BIG steps by trade union leaders. One small step forward for workers and two BIG steps back by the leaders.

Is it at all possible that the real standard bearers of Larkin's/Connolly’s trade union and political legacy and their followers (wherever you are) can, once and for all, unite behind one banner, the May Day banner of a united Revolutionary Workers Socialist Organisation?
In the year that they would want it to be shown that we are really behind what they stood for, wouldn’t it be a great tribute to them and some recognition of the sacrifices they and their followers made for workers, that for one day, JUST ONE DAY, that the revolutionary/radical left can put their differences aside and unite with like minded workers in Connolly's and Larkin's name and their honour.
For as long as the genuine revolutionary elements on the left are divided, the revolutionary legacy passed on by our predecessors will remain unfulfilled. Our revolutionary ambitions will continue on in parallel with the capitalist system, but with one thing in common, they will all remain sick and in need of a cure.

Just one day, one day and one step at a time. What a very big step that first step would be.

Union Failure -Tonyc...... I wish you luck if you do decide to go for a council seat, but apart from having a lot of fundraising etc to do, it's late in the day to be deciding to run.
But ask yourself, even if you did get elected, do you think you will effect change? How much power do think the councillors have? How much power does the council managers have? As far as I remember, the Dáil (the Taoiseach in fact) can overrule any decision made by the city manager and he in turn can overrule any decision passed by the council. I havent checked that, but that came about during the last anti bin tax campaign, not sure of the finer details.

At the rate our socialists get elected to the Dail and councils, it would many many elections before their is enough to even start to make changes. The real power is on the shop floor, in the unions and in young people.

by Miriam Fri Jan 30, 2009 18:37

"You have to admire the French. The ordinary people there know how to stick up for themselves – instead of meekly bowing down and accepting whatever bitter gruel the elite tries to cram down their throats. And they don't just write a few angry letters (or blog posts!), or send checks to some worthy progressive organization to organize a few mildly admonishing ads or press releases on their behalf. Hell no, they take to the streets, by the millions, they shut things down, they make some noise, they put their time, their jobs, and their bodies on the line. "

http://www.uruknet.info/?p=m51378&hd=&size=1&l=e

by ec Fri Jan 30, 2009 18:59

http://info.interactivist.net/node/11804

Extract

"We call upon all social movements in Europe to engage in a process of change. To start with, we call upon movements

- to engage in the mass mobilisation for the central demonstration in London on the 28th of March 2009 ahead of the G20 meeting, or to take to the streets in their own countries that same day to make their voices heard. 20 governments cannot decide on the future of the global financial system and economy.

- to undertake a day of action in the week of the G20 meeting, preferably on the 1st of April (Financial Fools' Day) all across the world, exposing unaccountable financial power and promoting democratic control of finance.

This meeting is a further step in a long-term process of building spaces for European networks to meet. Recognising and drawing on previous and future mobilisations of social movements and civil society organizations in Europe and all over the world, it builds on ongoing efforts developed at the European Social Forum and elsewhere, aimed at realizing a democratic and socially and environmentally sustainable Europe. We commit to intensify cooperation and communication among our networks and organisations with the aim of building capacity for sustained mobilisation and the development of joint alternatives. We are committed to supporting and encouraging all people to have their voices heard in reshaping their societies.

We will meet again on the 18th and 19th of April 2009 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in order to develop the next steps of mobilisation and strategies towards change. We call upon all social movements and social organisations to join this process."

by Ray Darcy listener Fri Jan 30, 2009 19:19

On todays fix-it friday show with Ray on Today.fm there was a bit of talk about the strikes in France, some of the comments were the following, more or less:

"Iceland, France, Greece they take to the streets. Meanwhile in Ireland people ring into to complain on Liveline"

"In the states Obama gave the banks a bit of a bollocking, whereas in Ireland nothing. Has no one in government a bit of balls"

"lets take to the streets"

by shea Fri Jan 30, 2009 19:31

sit in happening in waterford crystal now. was on the six o clock news. 7.30 now came on the internet to see if there was any more about it. can't see anything here or politics.ie. looked a bit agressive one man trowing another man into a glass door. people worked 40 years no pension no redundincy no nothing. there with unite union. so stuff is going on. you don't have to look to france for it.

by Tough times call for tough action Fri Jan 30, 2009 20:06

Question : What is the difference between Iceland and Ireland?
Answer : One letter and six months.

Iceland's government collapses amid financial meltdown
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0126/...3.htm

by Just -In Fri Jan 30, 2009 21:12

Where are the Irish Unions?

Well, one of them UNITE (affiliated to ICTU) is staging a sleep-in in Waterford Wedgeword. 350 currrent workers and previous employees held a public meeting in the canteen with the Union. Many are planning to occupy the factory over night.

The implict cynicism towards the Irish Trade Union Movement in your article is totally unfounded.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0130/wedgwood.html

by Arm-a-Gedden - Where Are The Irish Unions? Sat Jan 31, 2009 00:51

Where Are The Irish Unions?

Forget about the fighting Irish its only a myth.

The fighting Irish are stuck in every watering hole all over the Island, thats where you find them these days, and thats where they do their fighting
The more the Government rubs their noses in the you know what they come running back for more.

We have become a nation of the Mislead.

What has taken place in Ireland in last few months, has been catastrophic to say the least,corrupt banking system, a budget that victimised the most vunerable in Irish society, thousands have lost their jobs and stand to loose their homes, possibly their marriage as well, their self respect and dignity.

But of course this dosent mean anything to the Union Officials and why should it?

They have had an easy ride, thats the way they like it dont rock the boat, and they will still have their suits, collars, and ties, and their crombie jackets,and all their perks.

That union card give it back its not worth the paper its written on.

The Irish unions are now part of Corporate Ireland PLC.

They dont have the back bone of a worm.

Have you heard them calling the brothers out on the streets, No they have not, because that goes against Kildare St, policy.

Shame on them.

by . Sat Jan 31, 2009 00:59

cheap and cheerful the future!

by . Sat Jan 31, 2009 13:14

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/31/global-r...tests

by Bronterre O'Brien Sat Jan 31, 2009 15:01

Biffo makes $624,000. (before benefits and perks). That's $27,000 more than Obama.

There's gross income inequality and yet workers must accept more pay cuts, so that the rich like our leader Biffo, and the class he represents can continue to live like royalty.

Lenihan is beginning to look uncannily like Stan Laurel. Put a bowler and mustache on Biffo and there's Ollie.
These clowns no longer have any credibility. The Waterford workers have shown the way.

by Michael Gallagher Sat Jan 31, 2009 15:54

For What Died The Sons Of Roisín? by Luke Kelly.

For what died the sons of Roisín, was it fame?
For what died the sons of Roisín, was it fame?
For what flowed Ireland's blood and rivers
That began when Brian chased the Dane?
And did not cease nor has not ceased
With the brave sons of sixteen.
For what died the sons of Roisín, was it fame?

For what died the sons of Roisín, was it greed?
For what died the sons of Roisín, was it greed?
Was it greed that drove Wolfe Tone
To a paupers death in a cell of cold wet stone?
Will German, French or Dutch inscribe the epitaph of Emmet
When we've sold enough of Ireland to be but strangers in it?
For what died the sons of Roisín, was it greed?

To whom do we owe our allegiance today?
To whom do we owe our allegiance today?
To those brave men who fought and died
That Roisín live again with pride
Her sons at home to work and sing
Her youth to dance and make her valleys ring
Or the faceless men who for mark and dollar
Betray her to the highest bidder.
To whom do we owe our allegiance today?

For what suffer our patriots today?
For what suffer our patriots today?
They've got a language problem so they say
How to write no trespass must grieve their heartful sore
We've got rid of one strange language
Now, we're faced with many many more.
For what suffer our patriots today?

Very relevent questions: To whom do we owe our allegiance today? For what suffer our people today?

by dunk Sat Jan 31, 2009 18:38

Meanwhile, people today confronted the heart of capitalism at the WEF (world economic forum) stating "You are the Crisis!" As usual, tear gas and force was used to counter their angry dissent.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the planet, from where we could learn a few things... In the Amazon city of Belem, Brazil, the 9th WSF (world social forum) finishes tomorrow. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva choose to boycott the gathering of business leaders in Davos, Switzerland in favour of participating with global civil society gathered there and with his fellow Latrin American leaders from Bolivia, Eguador Paraguay and Venezuala, demonstrating that healthy change is happening, that indeed, "Another world is possible"

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa said 2 days ago: “The guilty parties in this crisis try to give lessons on morality and good economic handling. The most powerful people on the planet have united to find a therapy for the dying. They’re getting together—the central bankers, the representatives of the large financial firms, the people primarily responsible for the crisis."

Yesterday, Lula stated: "The crisis was not born by the Bolivarian socialism of Chavez or Evo fighting, but by the bankruptcy, irresponsibility and lack of control of foreign powers. Those powers who told us what we need in our poor countries. They thought we were infallible and incompetent, but now the crisis is theirs, not ours."

He finished with the oft stated phrase from Hugo Chavez "Another world is possible, it is not only possible, it is necessary!"

Many are feeling the crisis of these tough times, but remember that in China, for thousands of years, the idea of crisis is seen as both a time of danger but also one of opportunity. And with that let us remember tonight that something is stirring in the South East: The starry plough, the flag of the Irish citizen army flies tonight above the occupation of the factory of Waterford Crystal.

Strange days indeed.
________________________________________________

Related notes:

Irish Times: Protesters stage rallies in Davos, Geneva

Hundreds of people rallied in Geneva and Davos today to protest against the World Economic Forum, saying the elite gathered for it annual meeting are not qualified to fix the world's problems.

Hundreds of people rallied in Geneva and Davos on Saturday to protest against the World Economic Forum (WEF), saying the elite gathered for it annual meeting are not qualified to fix the world's problems.

Carrying banners reading "You are the Crisis" and throwing snowballs, several hundred protesters marched to fences surrounding the heavily guarded Hotel Seehof in the Davos ski resort, where many world leaders and business people stay during the forum.

In Geneva, where the WEF has its headquarters, police in riot gear fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse a crowd that had gathered in a square near the train station, sending people running in all directions. Witnesses said there did not appear to be any violence by the protesters.

The rally in the city's normally staid streets was not formally permitted by local authorities...
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0131/...7.htm

IMC-SWITZ:
:: Die andere Seite des World Economic Forum (WEF) - mächtig widerständig ::
http://switzerland.indymedia.org/demix/2009/01/66776.shtml

Lula (Brazil) @ WSF: "Now the crisis is theirs (the rich west), not ours."
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90872#comment244545

"Every crisis contains in itself an opportunity"
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90751

People today confronted the heart of capitalism at the WEF (world economic forum) stating "You are the Crisis!"

Another world is not only possible, it is necessary!

by dunk Sat Jan 31, 2009 18:47

As reported on that stories thread:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/90900&comment_limit=0&c...44563

Strange days indeed, and probably going to get a whole lot stranger.

In terms of offering an attempt at a healthier direction to move toward...

From OIL AGE financial crisis, to sustainable communities + COP 15
http://itsafunnyoldworld.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/oilage/

The Starry Plough, flag of the Irish Citizen Armym fliying in Waterford tonight

by Patricius pseudo-Hibernicus Sat Jan 31, 2009 19:34

In dangerous times like these, we can all help by not using our adversaries' terminology. So, to avoid selling out by accident:
refuse to say "Free Market"; say "Feral Market" (because that's what it is);
refuse to say "Deregulation"'; say "Derangement" or "Destabilization" (because that's what it is);
refuse to say "Modernization"; say "Mediocritization" or "Bureaucratization" (because that's what it is);
and so on. Lots in a name!

by Maura Harrington - S2S; Davitt Legue Sat Jan 31, 2009 19:38

On Thursday last, Royal Dutch Shell announced their yearly profits, up 14% for last year, at $31.4/€23.9 BILLION.

That is €2 billion per month, equal to the yearly saving that FF/Greens/ICTU/IBEC are trying to squeeze out of Health, Education and Pensions in Ireland.

The signs are that, in a month's time, the full force of the State - cops, navy, and the army if Shell wants it - will brought in to north Mayo to back up Shell's private security goons in the ongoing theft of our oil/gas.

We resisted successfully last year and intend to do the same this year.

Solidarity with workers in Waterford - it is the PEOPLE throughout the country who have been abused by a succession of shits in suits who offer the only hope for an equitable future.

Let's do it.

by Felim Sat Jan 31, 2009 20:41

It's not long ago since the extremely arrogant and ignorant Condoleezza Rice (former US Secretary of State) was strutting around the world (with a Jumbo Jet for each foot) telling everybody, and all nations, how they should be conducting their lives and their business.

"The kind of Middle East the United States wants to see ... etc., etc., etc.", blah, blah, blah.

Now look at the United States: right up to its arse in crocodiles, and dragging the rest of the world into the stinking swamp with it -- thanks entirely to their grossly corrupt and fraudulent Federal Reserve System, which has been running out of control since 1913, and which is now potentially more dangerous and more destructive than it has ever been at any time since then.

Federal Reserve System Corruption:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Federal+Reserve+Sy...earch

Personally, I still feel sorry though for all of the many decent US citizens who have been very professionally hoodwinked by all the smart-alec spin they have been fed for the past several years. My hope now is that they might cast it off, and throw it back at their leaders: and with a bit of interest (compound of course!!) added as well maybe -- just for good measure.