The Unfolding Crisis and Ireland's Economic Ruin

by Wilberforce Onions Mon Nov 29, 2010 03:27

Who exactly are the 'senior bond holders'???

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Mon Nov 29, 2010 10:00

the big boys.They'd look on D Desmond and d O'Reilly and the likes as peasants.Serious wonga.I'd imagine there is more than a shekel of weapons industry and oil cash.Plus the usual Goldman Sachs(hello Peter)Rotschild, Mellon heir bullionaires. By now I'm sure the coke and smack mafias are linked in for laundry duties.
In short, the decendants of the dynasties that have been carving the planet into stake(sic) pie for accumulated centuries.Lots of it would be tied in knots of diversionary false identity shell companies.These people dont want the fame, just the fortune.And they manufacture their own 'god fortune' as surely as they manufacture the compliance and abetting of 'our' watchdog(ha ha ha)media.

by Wilberforce Onions Mon Nov 29, 2010 12:29

The budget vote is on 7th december - somebody please get the voting record of how every td - name and constituency - votes

Then publicise it

Then publicise it again during the next general election

by W. Finnerty Tue Nov 30, 2010 06:14

Each individual TD (elected representative) needs to be informed ASAP and in no uncertain terms by the voters -- i.e. well in advance of December 7th -- that any of them who votes in a way which supports the multi-billion, interest-carrying (and crippling) IMF loans that are to be used to bail out the bankers, in connection with their massive, self-inflicted gambling debts, which nobody anywhere seems to know the full size of, will most definitely be "shown the door" at the next general election: which is now only a matter of weeks away apparently.

And, that this will happen regardless of which party (or no party) that they belong to, and regardless of what position they hold (or do not hold) in the present government.

It needs to be "principles before parties" regarding this extremely important issue, and the "political parties" need to stick their "party whips" where the money stuck his nuts, and hopefully leave them there for the rest of time.

And, if needs be when the time comes, it would be infinitely better (in my view) not to vote for anybody at all at the next general election, than to vote for a spineless traitor who proves their treachery and treason by their own hand on December 7th: assuming that is in fact the day our "elected representatives" will be voting on this particularly threatening social issue.

by Mike Novack Wed Dec 01, 2010 17:35

"senior" vs "junior" debt (what does this mean)

Senior bonds are those of an issue before some later issue which is now junior to the first issue. This is exactly like a 1st mortgage, 2nd mortgage, 3rd mortgage (yikes) etc. but with bond issues an even longer sequences of precedence are possible. Each more senior issue is entitled to get paid in full before the next more junior issue gets anything.

NOT necessarly "the big boys" who hold the senior notes and in fact were this the case and it were just the "little fish" at risk of being left holding the bag I'm not sure we wouldn't be seeing a different scenario. Strong pressure from the fat cats to have all the bondholders made good implies that THEY (the fat cats) hold a lot of the junior debt.

OK, I think I need to explain a bit more. The serious money to be made with risky debt isn't from the higher interest this debt carries but from the signifcant rise in price of this debt if the risk gets reduced. So yes indeed, fat cats do trade in risky debt and then work toward that end. The super safe debt issues aren't held to make money directly but as a safe haven for funds when you suspect other investment alternatives will head south and then as a source of funds to reinvest in stocks, etc. when they think the market has bottomed out. So yes the fat cats have senior debt holdings of the most credit worthy borrowers too but that's how they would be using them.

by W. Finnerty Wed Dec 01, 2010 19:27

Two excerpts from bailout statement made by Pat Rabbitte TD made on November 30th 2010:

"The Constitution is our Primary legal instrument and is based on Natural Law, which means that it is antecedent to positive law or superior to all man made law enacted by the Oireachtas. The Government can not circumvent the provisions in this document and therefore is bound to adhere to their obligations – any measure passed in contravention to the Constitution is void and unenforceable."

"Article 29.5.2° “The State shall not be bound by any international agreement involving a charge upon public funds unless the terms of the agreement shall have been approved by Dáil Éireann.”

Related link: http://www.oneshot.ie/narrative/comments-on-irish-polit...ssues

by Diarmuid Breatnach - Personal Capacity Wed Dec 08, 2010 17:54

Thanks for this comrades -- it is useful to have a timeline account. However, there is a longer history to the situation in which we now find ourselves and also to the resistance of Irish people. One would have to add the freeze on recruitment in the HSE back in November 2006 (?); the big Health demonstration and various hospital protests; ICTU march in February and promise of general strike; number of industrial disputes including Dublin Bus and Civil Servants (Passports Office); etc.

The longer history shows the present situation of the Left in a worse light than might otherwise be the case. If the Left had not already built a network for grass-roots resistance in the unions before then it was clearly time to do so when the trend became apparent (but before the full financial crisis came down). The Left failed to that then and is still failing to do it now.

In the absence of such a network and in the presence of a trade union leadership that is craven or traitorous, the calls for a General Strike from the Left are ritualistic or sloganeering. For to whom are they calling? Surely not to the trade union leadership? And if not to them, to whom else? To their comrades on the Left, who already agree? To the mass of unionised workers, to which they have virtually no channels, and with which they have no organisations?

by T Wed Dec 08, 2010 18:29

>>For to whom are they calling? ......To the mass of unionised workers, to which they have virtually no channels, and with which they have no organisations?

I guess it is to the mass of unionised and non unionised workers but as you correctly point out there are virtually no channels or orgs and that gets to the heart of the matter in that it is the propaganda bubble that we all live in, is by far and away the most useful and effective weapon that the capitalists have and use it very effectively to spread outright lies and distored information which results in the population regularly acting against its own best interests.

by Pierce Farrell Wed Dec 08, 2010 21:23

Out side of the government TDs and the two infamous independents from Munster who has voted for this budget. And as interestingly, which TDs abstained?

by John Smith Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:25

And, after the budget which cripples everyone, AIB is paying out €40 million in bonuses! Great to hear that the banks are still operating in a different universe.

Link:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/dec/08/allied-i...ilout

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Thu Dec 09, 2010 13:07

stabilise the fund-flow so the same parasites can find a fresh artery to sink their canines. No different universe, just business as usual.

Back to the Chicago Boys and Milton Friedman's Latin American economic death-squads. They ALWAYS get bonuses for efficiency. Unfortunately its numerological rather than actual efficiency. a.k.a. creative number-crunching for predetermined projected outcomes. Bankruptcy, liquidation and extraction.

Or as they say in the oil industry, disrupt, contain and control, syphon.

by C. Flower - www.politicalworld.org Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:44 cassflower.politicalworld at gmail dot com

Congratulations to the authors of this page.

Thanks also to T for the update on the Anglo derivatives, which we've been writing about on Politicalworld.org since the beginning of this year.
Any help with our threads, in piecing this together and following it day to day, would be appreciated.

by Sceptic . - None Whatsoever Fri Dec 10, 2010 22:55

What about the cheese they promised us for christmas ???

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:58

..than that he tighteneth his belt round the throats of the dispossessed.....

...in the national interest.

What happened the cheese???

I believe it went into RTE to pursue a career in forensic political analysis......

...and then the trap sprang...and it lived happily ever after

till it overdid the coke.

by eco joe Fri Dec 17, 2010 18:04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQuFP_KOZus

by Cowen's last day? Thu Jan 13, 2011 12:08

Move to oust Cowen underway, say tweeters
http://politico.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=ar...d=877

At around 12.30am Fine Gael's Simon Coveney tweeted "Very strong rumours about unrest in FF and a potential motion of no confidence tomorrow - hard to know if it will happen or just speculation". Others were tweeting that Fianna Fáil had gathered the 18 names necessary for a no confidence motion in Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

by Bye bye Brian Thu Jan 13, 2011 14:38

- Speculation mounts over Cowen's leadership
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0113/politics.html

Speculation is mounting in Leinster House that Brian Cowen's position as leader of Fianna Fáil is under imminent threat.

A meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party that was due to take place this morning has been postponed until 3pm.

- Cowen's position under threat ahead of FF meeting
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0113/....html

by fat c*** Sun Jan 16, 2011 11:47

Biffo, your days are numbered

Cowen considers future as leader of Fianna Fáil party
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0116/....html

Im a big fat cunt, get me out of here

by Peadaar. Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:18

"And, after the budget which cripples everyone."

Ahem.

It does not cripple the most highly paid and comfortable Public Sector on planet earth.
Paid for by the IMF.

Brian Cowen is still paid more than Barack Obama.

(As our paymasters in Germany and France constantly sneer.)
.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Tue Jan 18, 2011 14:01

The top of the public sector is overpaid. But not nearly to the extent of the top of the private sector who are decoying you with that red-herring.

by Pedaar Tue Jan 18, 2011 14:13

"Decoying you with that red-herring."

Red herrings who think that 40K a year is "low pay"?

Most medical consultants have about the same skills as car mechanics.

As the German Ambassador complained:
"They call €220 grand a year mickey mouse money!"

The Germans pay the piper.
The Germans call the tune.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Tue Jan 18, 2011 14:18

Are not the public sector. They are the privateers of the public health service into their own private sickness industry.

Or do you think the new idea to reduce trainee nurses to non-payment for 40 hour weeks is a good idea?Your scatter-gun needs aiming.

by children_of_lir Wed Jan 19, 2011 08:55

The Irish are an inhibited people.

Cowen doesn't care about the FF party otherwise he would have resigned long ago.

Cowen's message is that he hasn't finished screwing Ireland.

by Burb Wed Jan 19, 2011 21:45

Mary Harney announces resignation from Government
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0119/....html

Im a big f** c***, get me out of here

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:49

...will she sing, and tell us where all them bodies are stashed in the FF crypt.

Something tells me there are envelopes in a safety deposit box somewhere that ensured she was never challenged internally.

by children_of_lir Thu Jan 20, 2011 13:14

The secret confidence vote for Brian Cowen is not a transparent party. If I was a party member I would be extremely vocal about the lack of transparency.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Thu Jan 20, 2011 13:38

Closing down sale(for a wee while).May be moving to smaller premises.

get in now, and by mid-summer you too could be party leader.

Vocal about transparency?
No problem. Make it loud n long. We specialise in vocals.

join now while offer lasts. Lotsa vacancies

small print :
includes special st patricks day exotic junket for ALL(sshhh) aspirants(provided you dont actually do anything, other than vocals).

by children_of_lir Thu Jan 20, 2011 13:38

Inane posturing by the Irish member appears to stick in EU Commission president José Manuel Barroso's throat -

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/0120....html

"“To the distinguished member of this parliament that comes from Ireland, who asked a question suggesting that the problems of Ireland were created by Europe, let me tell you: the problems of Ireland were created by the irresponsible financial behaviour of some Irish institutions and by the lack of supervision in the Irish market,” he said.

“Europe is now part of the solution; it is trying to support Ireland. But it was not Europe that created this fiscally irresponsible situation and this financially irresponsible behaviour. Europe is trying to support Ireland. It is important to know where the responsibility lies. And this is why it is important that those of us, and this is clearly the majority, who believe in European ideals, that we are able as much as possible to have a common response.”"

And

"“To those who made those comments . . . against European solidarity . . . I ask them – where were you when Europe was financing your farmers after the war to feed your own people?”"

What a bashing by the EU Commission President!

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Thu Jan 20, 2011 14:23

a simplification at best. This pump and dump scam has been running for centuries, through the tulip markets and south sea bubbles to the savings and loans scam and enron to the haliburton/bechtel privatisation of war to the current currency stand-off between China and the Fed(thats the artists formerly known as the US of A) and down to the Eurobankers from 'The City' of London and their offshore branches in Jersey, Isle Of Man, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Florida, Cayman and Bahama Islands with a dash of Triad Hong Kong slush.

Get your hands on Nicholas Shaxson's Treasure Islands (Bodley Head, 2011)for a little inside dope on what goes on in the tent that the Galway race-tent works for. Shells within shells. Joe Higgins called it right. But the other side is that our IFSC(CJH's baby) shelters the same shysters.

http://www.treasureislands.org

and no, I dont get a percentage.
And its not so much a conspiracy, more, as Paul Simon nailed it ' a loose affiliation of millionaires and billionaires..'.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Thu Jan 20, 2011 14:37

'..financing your farmers...' bit.

That was the pacifier so they could scoop out our fishing grounds. Nations dont do friends, they do INTERESTS. Now they have our democracy and media in their europhile tent, they will empty the island to make it Eiredisney on the Atlantic.
Cant have it too cluttered with peasants, it might spoil the views. And our own financial wide-boy aristos are quite pleased at that, have been for centuries. Stand by for more media coverage of the advantages of emigration. Well Pat Kenny&Co dont want their pensions diluted by any mention of equity, unless it refers to their share portfolios.

by children_of_lir Thu Jan 20, 2011 14:43

We understand that the dough/monies has already left Ireland and is stashed in offshore accounts that don't require you to be a resident of that country. What's news?

We can't blame Europe for the mess our politicians got us in.

We are not fooled by Biffo (Brian Cowen) playing the village idiot when it suits his agenda. However, we know there are still pickings to be had in Ireland.

The Irish people are inhibited and allowed FF to milk the country as though their cash cow would never run dry.

by Peaadar Fri Jan 21, 2011 19:55

When a money lender says "You must pay".

Only cowards say:
"My children are starving but I will pay you money-lender first."

They took the risk in lending.

Good idea to tell them to fuck off and refuse to pay them.

by Peadaar Fri Jan 21, 2011 20:19

I shop in Aldi and Lidl and Tesco.
All foreign.
No bother.

If a local store goes bust: No bother.
If a local bank goes bust: No bother..to me.

Not according to this government.
The Irish people must pay all ills for banks with "Irish" in the name.

When Banking cowboys in Ireland go bust the Irish taxpayer must pay.

by Biffo: going, going... gone Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:26

Cowen resigns as FF leader, but to remain as Taoiseach
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0122/....html

Brian Cowen has resigned as leader of Fianna Fáil but will continue as Taoiseach until a new Government is formed after the general election on March 11th.

Mr Cowen announced that he had stood down at a news conference in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin this afternoon, adding that he alone had made the decision.

“I have decided, on my own counsel, to step down as leader of Fianna Fáil.”

The Taoiseach said he made the decision this morning after making a political assessment of the situation last night.

by dunk Sun Jan 23, 2011 12:52

The Irish situation is perhaps the laughing stock of the world at present, a shower of donkeys, a circus, a country that seemingly puts up with it all... But will this week be the final straw? Radical change is needed. Will we finally see the end of the civil war politics, it doesent matter whether its FF or FG, same shite different color. But will labour be any better, seems unlikely. Will perhaps SF make major gains, will ULA get a strong vote? But what will it all lead to?

Whats needed is to rethink it all, reclaim Ireland.

You remember the old Iceland joke about 2.5 years ago...
- "Whats the difference between Ireland and Iceland?"
- "1 letter and 6 months..."

Well who is laughing now? There the people rose up, booted out the corrupt government and now the people have re-written their constitution and seemingly are getting themselves out of the crisis. Remember "crisis" is not only a negative thing, in the image from China that makes up the word, it is comprised of the 2 polar sides; danger, but also opportunity.

So with that, perhaps Ireland, "the green isle" might be able to swing in the other direction, get out of the mess, and actually show a different way. In fact, to a very small level, its already happening. The transition movement (stemming from the world of permaculture) grew out of a small school in Kinsale, ive heard stories of film crews coming from korea to view the source of things. Anyway, we will see.

The Powerdown Show - Transition Towns and Energy Descent Pathways
http://vimeo.com/4678220

Transition Ireland & Northern Ireland - the network for communities building local resilience
http://transitiontownsireland.ning.com/

Cowen resigns as FF leader, remains Taoiseach
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0122/politics.html

As It Happened - Cowen steps down as FF leader (timeline)
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0122/cowenb_tracker.html

Within "Crisis" lies the opportunity - A time for Ireland to transition itself out of the mess

Caption: Video Id: 4678220 Type: Vimeo
The Powerdown Show - Transition Towns and Energy Descent Pathways

by Slán Biffo Sun Jan 23, 2011 13:44

Gargle Gate:

- Singing Taoiseach hits bum note as critics lap up 'Gargle-gate' in Galway
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0915/1....html

- Brian Cowen featured on NBC's Tonight Show with Jay Leno monologue
Brian Cowen called a "drunken moron" in NBC Tonight Show segment from Sept 22, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRZvERI5nf8

- Brian Cowen Drunk in Galway Parody Song - 98FM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zJkdJ2I58o

- Brian Cowen Drunk and "Sorry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8Lqxg-QP1Y

A man of the people. Flawed yes. But a man of the people all the same. Some alcohol, some nudity and some public urination, we take to the streets with Brian Cowen to say sorry.

National Gallery Hides Art: RTE Hides News: Artist Hits Nail On Head: Guards Involved
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/91540

Last Saturday a man added his own original artwork to the walls of the National Gallery's portrait collection. He placed his 'Portait of Brian Cowen' on the wall next to a work depicting Maeve Binchy. It hung for forty minutes, before being removed.

Brian Cowen's hissy fit. (RTE apology to Cowen)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ3OHbZ_4cg

Brian Cowen's complete unsuitability as leader of Ireland once again comes to light as this Grade A prick goes crazy about nude paintings while the country falls on its knees around him.

Guerrilla artist hangs nude Cowen paintings
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0323/cowennude.html

Remembering Biffo: The emporer has no clothes

Remembering Biffo: RTE apologizes to The emporer

Remembering Biffo: Brian Cowen called a "drunken moron" in NBC Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Caption: Video Id: gRZvERI5nf8 Type: Youtube Video
Brian Cowen called a "drunken moron" in NBC Tonight Show

Caption: Video Id: zQ3OHbZ_4cg Type: Youtube Video
Grade A prick goes crazy about nude paintings while the country falls on its knees around him.

by Irish emigrant Sun Jan 23, 2011 14:25

Irish emigrants deserve a vote

Ireland is gearing up for possibly its most important election ever, but the voices of countless Irish emigrants won't be heard
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jan/22/iri...ction

Under Irish electoral law, unless you are "ordinarily resident" in the country (that is living in Ireland on 1 September in the year before the voting register comes into force) you cannot cast a ballot in elections.

More than 110 countries allow passport holders living abroad to vote. Ireland, with its long history of emigration, is not among of them. Unlike citizens of, say, Ghana, Mexico or the Dominican Republic, Irish people living outside the republic are barred from directly participating in the electoral process. Greece, the only other EU member with a similar policy, is in the process of amending its legislation following a successful appeal by two Greek nationals living in France that the law breached the European convention on human rights.

Emigrant voting rights have been on the political agenda in Ireland before, most recently in the 1990s

Just how many of the Irish people moving to the US, Australia, Canada, the UK and other places around the world realise that they lose their vote when they leave is unclear. That they are being disenfranchised is beyond doubt.

Economist David McWilliams said in a recent Irish Independent column that he would “extend the vote to everyone who is an Irish citizen no matter where they live” if he was Taoiseach.

Up to 30,000 Irish citizens living temporarily in Australia will be unable to vote in Ireland’s forthcoming general election.

However, their situation is being highlighted by renewed calls to give votes to Irish citizens abroad.

Just last week the Irish Government was criticised for failing to act on external voting, after the Irish Daily Mail claimed that the Government ignored a report recommending extending the franchise to citizens worldwide.

by W. Finnerty Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:30

"The bill, which both Fianna Fail and the Greens regard as a national priority, is important because it is a central commitment that the Republic of Ireland government entered into as part of the 85bn euro (£72.4bn) European and IMF bailout loan announced last November."

The above is an excerpt from a recent BBC report at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12262032

Surely this huge bankers "bailout loan" is an EXTREMELY important election issue?

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:57

and thats exactly why they want it processed pronto. Thinking might be conducive to democracy, no time for that.

by 'misfits' + 'ragbags' = Irish left Mon Jan 24, 2011 20:52

Seems like Labour will not be pushing any real left alternative to the crisis, bit like their friends across the water. Sinn Fein are pushing at Labour, pointing out their lack of boldness, then in turn Labour's Roisín Shortall stooped last night to calling left-wing politicians 'misfits' and 'ragbags'. Strange days, quietly in the media across the water, Gerry Adams gives a summing up interview of where things are at...

- Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty gives Pat Rabbitte a right bollockin on RTE's Pat Kenny this morning
- Roisín Shortall, Labour, calls left-wing politicians 'misfits' and 'ragbags' on last nights "The Week in Politics"
- Meanwhile Gerry Adams states in the Guardian: SF believes this will be its breakthrough year in the south.
- Green party minister: why we pulled the plug, Green party TD Ciarán Cuffe
- Mass resignation from Laois/Offaly Labour Party - New Left Alternative organisation launched in constituency...

- Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty gives Pat Rabbitte a right bollockin on RTE's Pat Kenny this morning

Today with pat kenny: Monday 24th January 2011 -Politics
audio - http://www.rte.ie/radio1/player_av.html?0,null,200,http....smil
link - http://www.rte.ie/radio1/todaywithpatkenny/2011-01-24.html

Just when we thought the political system in this country couldn’t become any more volatile – it did just that!

Weekend developments have left us with a minority government, the Greens on the opposition benches, confusion over how long it will take to get the Finance Bill through the Dail, a new Fianna Fail leader to be elected on Wednesday and an earlier general election than the previous date of March 11th .

With Pat were Eamonn Ryan of the Green Party, Pearse Doherty, Sinn Fein’s finance spokesman, Pat Rabbitte, Labour’s justice spokesman and Peter Power, junior minister in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Also joining us from our limerick studio was Fine Gael’s finance spokesman Michael Noonan.

The Week in Politics - Sean O'Rourke calls "the most mind blowing week since the arms crisis of 1970"
http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1089683

outcome of that:

RÓISÍN SHORTALL: WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS IS RIGHT-WING STABILITY
http://dublinopinion.com/2011/01/24/roisin-shortall-wha...lity/

Footage from the Week in Politics (23 January 2011) where Roisín Shortall of the Irish Labour Party calls left-wing politicians 'misfits' and a 'ragbag', and explains why the Irish Labour Party, in its pursuit of a left-led government for Ireland, promises to have no dealings whatsoever with any left-wing parties, policies or politicians - preferring instead to give the country a stable, right-wing, government for the next five years.

She then explain how the Irish Labour Party will perform political alchemy by transforming the right-wing Fine Gael party into a left-wing government through the adoption of Fine Gael's right-wing economic and social policies.

vid - Roisín Shortall: ragbag and misfits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms9WE7FoPM4

The Sinn Fein president on his hopes to win a seat in the Irish parliament and create a united Ireland – and how he has never distanced himself from the IRA

Sinn Fein, which has a handful of seats in the Irish parliament, believes this will be its breakthrough year in the south.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jan/24/gerry-ad...ction

On Tuesday night, twenty members resigned from the Labour Party in Laois/Offaly, formed an independent Left wing organisation and nominated a candidate to stand in the General Election as part of the ULA. This followed the crude imposition of a General Election candidate by the Labour Party leadership at a Selection Convention in December where the democratic rights of ordinary members were trampled on. This was seen by the local members as an attempt to ensure that any candidates elected to the Dáil for the Labour Party would not oppose the intended policy of the leadership to join Fine Gael in government and continue the disastrous bailout policy of the present government.

The new Left group pledged to ’bring a left wing political and economic analysis to issues in Laois/Offaly’ and to ’oppose the current right wing political consensus both locally and nationally especially in relation to the IMF/EU deal, the banking crisis, cuts to public services and the levying of further taxes on the lower paid and those on social welfare.’

Caption: Video Id: ms9WE7FoPM4 Type: Youtube Video
- Roisín Shortall, Labour, calls left-wing politicians

by Sceptic - None Whatsoever Tue Jan 25, 2011 02:21

Lest we forget the antics of one Conor Lenihan , shaken and stirred by Vincent Browne
to the point of Lunacy when C.L. actually believed anybody would tolerate his ' role ' as
der Leader of Fianna Failure . I never laughed as much in all my Life .

by W. Finnerty Tue Jan 25, 2011 09:13

Sein Fein are the only ones making any sense (to me) regarding the rushing through of the Finance Bill.

"The people should have a say. When the people have their say, then a new Dáil - a new Government - can bring forward any measures that it's mandated to bring forward." (Taken from a Sein Fein comment at: http://www.u.tv/News/SFs-Adams-calls-for-immediate-elec...50ce3 )

Simple?

But what is preventing the rest of them from supporting such a fundamental and basic democratic principle I wonder?

One thing is for sure: I would NEVER vote for ANY general election candidate who is making such a socially destructive and irresponsible mockery of democracy in the way that all of the non-Sein Fein candidates now appear to be doing.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:23

the only ones outside the race-tent.

But listening to Doherty last night and Adams this morning I think Mr Adams should back away and let the new generation take the lead.

Otherwise, given the deep-dyed programming of southern meejits agin the shinners, he's likely to be more of an electoral handicap than asset.

by children_of_lir Tue Jan 25, 2011 22:20

It was Cowen's deal with the main opposition parties to step down from FF leadership if the Finance Bill would be passed in Dail. This Bill will ensure that the workers of Ireland pay for Cowen's banking friends who have screwed Ireland.

The main opposition parties only want to obtain power and will behave no differently from FF.

by W. Finnerty Wed Jan 26, 2011 07:35

Leaving aside the very small number of TDs who are genuinely now trying to have all matters relating to the Finance Bill decided AFTER the General Election, the rest of our TDs well know (without "letting on" to the voters of course) that if they look after the banks, the banks will look after them.

And, despite all of their glib talk, that's ALL the vast majority of our TDs seem to care about it, or so it appears to me at least. The people of the Republic of Ireland who vote them into power don't seem to really matter to our "elected representatives" (once they've got their votes that is), and neither does the sovereign independent State of the Republic of Ireland and its written Constitution (Bunreacht na hEireann).

So, RUSH, RUSH, RUSH is what now best suits the banks to get the legislation the banks want, and that's exactly what the vast majority of our TDs are doing.

Then, once the bank-benefitting legislation is securely in place BEFORE the General Election, "sledge-hammers and dynamite" will not be enough to remove it afterwards: and our legal profession can (I believe) be fully relied upon -- 100% -- to attend to that very important aspect of things.

by David Mc Williams Wed Jan 26, 2011 13:16

David Mc Williams was given considerable airtime this morning on Today FM`s radio show: The Ray D'Arcy Show, due to his article in this mornings Irish Independant... Asked would he run he responded no.

If I was Taoiseach... what I would do to save Ireland

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/if-i-was-tao....html

Strange as it may seem now, the next few years offer the greatest opportunity to change Ireland. It is difficult to see beyond this crisis when many of us are mired in a deep, deep depression, but we can fix this economy and heal this society.

To get out of a crisis, you must first define reality, face up to it and then do something about it.

The reality for Ireland is that one part of the economy -- the domestic economy -- is broken; meanwhile, the multinational sector is thriving...

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Wed Jan 26, 2011 16:54

For ireland is that it has progressively imbibed a neo-conservative orthodoxy that has hijacked debate across the globe, and it is studded with presumptions of growth and expansionism that are relics of the imperial ages of human political and social evolution that are no longer fit-for-purpose in the globalised twenty-first century.

We need to INVENT a steady-state inclusive planetary model of resource management that puts the population welfare ahead of numerical gains.
And it needs articulation in non-ideological terminology.
The language of conventional economics, and the priesthood of econometricians with their mantras and superstitions(e.g. the constant refernces to 'the economy' singular to refer to different things and areas).

And we need to drop the idea that this an Irish problem. The VALUE SYSTEM underlying the economic indicators is based on pre-human animal territorialities and rivalries.
It needs replacing with a human system that will first require a reassessment of what actually constitutes being human. Being a language and tool-using biped is no longer sufficient.
Failing that, any change will be political, and as such, cosmetic and temporary.

Aint no shortage of work. Its the way its rationed by the gluttons.

Aint no shortage of money. Its the way its manufactured to fund the wrong ends.

Its still the fundamentals of the stupid economy, not 'the economy stupid' as Clinton read it to serve his political short-term ends. The smart economy is NOT the one they are trying to sell us with hi-tech fixes, thats their dream of more of the same only 'sexier', a la Bliar.

by Radio 4 Listener. Thu Jan 27, 2011 13:30

I found it interesting that the "Arch-Capitalist" Billionaire George Soros said on BBC Radio 4 this morning that he expects the Irish people to deliberately default.

"The deal heaped on the Irish people by bankers is unjust. Why should they pay?".

Billionaire rapacious capitalist he sure is.
But Soros has a sense of justice.

by W. Finnerty Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:39

"SEANAD ÉIREANN will debate the Finance Bill today and tomorrow after the Dáil passed the controversial legislation by a comfortable 81 votes to 76"

The above excerpt is from: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0128/1....html

Does anybody know where accurate details of the voting can be found, relating to who voted "yes", "no", who was absent, and who abstained?

I'd like to get my "who not to vote for" list ready as soon as possible.

If the voters of the Republic of Ireland have any sense left in them, it is my view that the 81 TDs responsible for getting the Finance Bill through the Dáil BEFORE the General Election, plus any who were not present or abstained without good reason, should never again see the inside of Dáil Éireann as "elected representatives" of the people of the Republic of Ireland: NOT ONE OF THEM!!

by German. Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:54

The trouble about Ireland is the "Parish Pump".
Even after the bailout by Germans the Irish Public Sector Whinge and whine.

The German public sector are paid less than half of what the Irish public sector are paid.

€50k a year is rare in German workers.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri Jan 28, 2011 13:14

Have far superior health, public transport, working conditions and other supports. Not every public sector worker here has those wages; its like evrywhere else, many underpaid and the few grossly overpaid. Which suits selective generalisations. Goebbels wrote that handbook.

If the ECB had been less irresponsible(or was it a premeditated sting???) cheap credit would not have induced the frenzy that was unleashed by the speculators while the ordinary worker was forced to hock his kids to keep a roof over their heads. back in your bunker. That 'bailout' is not for the Irish worker, it is the Irish worker PAYING for the ECB's usuruous policies. Britannia has been doing it to us for years. Deutchland has been trying to get in on the stroke since at least the nineteenth century.

by W. Finnerty Fri Jan 28, 2011 16:27

Representatives of the IMF are now in here acting like "super inspectors" of some kind over us.

Why have they not "super inspected" themselves and the bankers who are responsible for their self-inflicted gambling debts?

Had the IMF done so, the huge gambling debts of the bankers would never have come into existence in the first place.

The more I learn about the whole situation, the more I'm inclined to believe that the "bankers gambling debts" have been contrived: in the knowledge that governments could be tricked, bullied, bribed, (or whatever) into borrowing the vast sums of money needed to pay off these gambling debts.

The IMF (and their accomplices) then produce the money to pay off the debts from nowhere, out of nothing, using the centuries old scam known as "fractional reserve lending" (perfected by the Bank of England and the dozens of privately owned "Central Banks" modelled on the Bank of England since 1694); and, the fictitious money which was created "out of thin air" magically becomes "debt" that is 100% real: once the governments sign the necessary legal papers produced by the IMF, and accept the "money".

Then, and to add insult to injury, the IMF charge interest on the "thin-air money" they "lent", which they normally saddle the taxpayer with: via legal arrangements they make with the grossly corrupt and/or stupid government they have conned, bribed, bullied, blackmailed, or whatever.

And all of the time that all of this trickery and fraud is going on, there is nothing whatsoever to prevent the governments in question from providing themselves with their own completely debt-free and interest-free money, which they need for their own responsible and necessary trading purposes, and which would not include vast sums for international gambling purposes.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri Jan 28, 2011 17:00

If you are not there already try

[email protected]

by W. Finnerty Fri Jan 28, 2011 18:02

I think "opus" probably meant: http://imfresistance.org

by Rottenchild Fri Jan 28, 2011 18:18

"The IMF and World Bank are themselves without any real external oversight. They are virtually impenetrable by the legislatures of their member governments. Labyrinthine bureaucracies, coupled with immunities from national and international laws, have become, for them, impunity."

From: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/...80302

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sat Jan 29, 2011 13:47

That traskryptionite is affecting me infallibility super-powers again. Must pray harder.

Meantime, at risk of being slapped for repetition and redundancy(I'm used to that one) try

http://www.treasureislands.org

(hope that one is write) for a breakdown on Nicholas Shaxons map of the offshore troves of accumulated loot swilling round the planet like some track-wiping cyber-virus as they juggle the jurisdictions to maximise their bottom lines, lest democratic accountability/transparency rear its ugly head; other than as an election slogan.

The book of the same name just hit the January shelves.Most readable.

by Foolish. Sat Jan 29, 2011 14:53

Even the arch-capitalist and well tuned-in capitalist George Soros says the the Irish people should not pay the debts of foolish bankers.

"The Irish taxpayer takes the hit for what faraway bankers gambled on?
How utterly unjust"

So much for the Irish government who brokered this deal.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Sat Jan 29, 2011 15:33

thats a VICEROY.

1. Pimp your population into sub-prime bondage to global financy-boyos.

2.Splutter and mutter when our passports are cloned (Mick Mouse Martini)for assassination terror-hits in a third country.And now he is going to reform the corruption he's been weaned on?

3.Blink and fart when an Irish aid ship is hijacked(murder inc.luded)and confiscated.

4.Keep on dining in style while the kids stream from the country, yet again, in search for work.

Economic treason??
No way, this is the full fucking Monty. Sovereignty betrayed, Neutrality betrayed(Shannon, RRF/NATO etc.)and any shred of Independence and comittment to a viable international order through ethical action at the UN dumped for nodding-doggie in the back window(how much??)status.

And, coming shortly, a toss-up between Leo Varadkar and Alan Shatter as Minister for Foreign Affairs. Guess who sends them Hanukkkah gifts.

Nope, not Vanunu.

by W. Finnerty Mon Jan 31, 2011 09:27

"After years of hewing (i.e. conforming) to IMF financial dictates, citizens lost their jobs, bank accounts, savings and pensions overnight."

The above statement has been made by Dr Beatrice Edwards, International Reform Director at GAP (Government Accountability Project).

For more on GAP please click on: http://www.whistleblower.org

Related Link: http://www.whistleblower.org/about/gap-staff/96-beatric...ector

by Maths Type. Mon Jan 31, 2011 18:59

The real trouble with Ireland is that it is ruled by Arts Graduates.
Most Irish politicians probably cannot prove a theorm.

They probably cannot spell the word theorm.

They love Joyce and Yeats and Picasso though.

No German Gearboxes designed here in the world of the "Dreamy Celt."
.

by Pushkin Mon Jan 31, 2011 19:07

You could be on to something. The franchise is to open as well. I say if you want to vote then you should have to solve a Quadratic Equation.

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:55

..an automatic shift from to the lowest common denominator to the highest common factor???

Reminds me of the story me granny told me when I was three.

She asked had I heard about the constipated mathematician who worked it all out with his pencil. Add it to your slide rules.

by W. Finnerty Fri Feb 04, 2011 14:31

"Hence the drive by the bankers themselves to get the government to cartelize their industry by means of a central bank. Central Banking began with the Bank of England in the 1690s, spread to the rest of the Western world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and finally was imposed upon the United States by banking cartelists via the Federal Reserve System of 1913."

"How can I 'lend out' far more than I have? Ahh, that's the magic of the 'fraction' in the fractional reserve."

"The nineteenth-century English economist Thomas Tooke correctly stated that 'free trade in banking is tantamount to free trade in swindling.'"

All three of the above excerpts have all been copied from: http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/frb.html

by W. Finnerty Mon Feb 07, 2011 07:00

“We would immediately repudiate a debt that is not ours,” he said. “Any of the bank guarantees that were not State debt would be repudiated…We would tell the IMF ‘you can have your money back and you need to go’.”

The above excerpt is from: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/sf-would-tell-imf-yo....html

I would agree 100% with Angus O'Snodaigh TD that the IMF needs to be asked to leave the Republic of Ireland; and, that the sooner we wash our hands of them the better.

The main reasons for these beliefs of mine are set out at the following www location:
http://www.humanrightsireland.com/UndisclosedRecipients...l.htm

by opus diablos - the regressive hypocrite party Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:51

Heres a few more interesting ones from over the pond.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=23154

Same ol' oval head office, as slick willy clinton used to call it.

But sure we have our very own Tricky Micky Martin at this end.