War of Wealth (CC image from Flickr)

Kieran Allen has just written an extensive article on the current global financial crisis. Here is his opening sentences on it.

Most people are amazed to witness a new Wall St crash, when the spectacle of the 1929 crash was supposed to have vanished forever.

For the past thirty years mainstream economists claimed that the market worked perfectly provided there was no state interference or strong trade unions. ‘You cannot buck the market’ was repeated like a mantra against anyone who dared to ask for higher wages, better environmental controls or a more developed welfare state. ‘Market forces’ were seen as wise spirits who knew best about how to run an economy. No one knew who or what they were but they appeared to work anonymously behind the scenes to make everything right. In almost every country, people were told to leave matters to these ‘market forces’ and not to seek too much regulation. In reality, these ‘market forces’ were gigantic financial houses which could move money around the globe at will.

Today this mythology has been shattered.

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In the last hour Shell has announced that the Solitaire pipe laying ship is to depart from Irish territorial waters and go to a British port for repair and assessment.

The company has always claimed that it was not responding to pressure from protests against its plan to install an offshore section of production pipeline without any planning permission for the onshore section.

Maura Harrington, who is on hunger strike at the Shell compound at Glengad beach, has yet to make a statement, but it is hoped that if the company claim is true, and the ship leaves, then she will end or suspend her protest.

Update: Maura Harrington officially came off her hunger-strike and made the statement as published in the comments.

Hunger Strike Explanation

An update on the situation as of this morning in occupied Erris

After a truly momentous day in Erris yesterday,things are much calmer this morning. The Solitaire has been confirmed to be stationery in Killybegs Co Donegal.

Police presence in the area is still very heavy this morning although the general atmosphere (aside from at the compound gates) is slightly less tense. Maura Harrington continues her courageous hunger strike at the compound gates with round the clock solidarity from both locals and the camp.

Hunger Strike Explanation

The Solitaire arrived in Broadhaven Bay this evening, as the accompanying security operation was stepped up significantly. Vanloads of Gardaí; including special public order units have started arriving. Local woman Maura Harrington has gone on hunger strike at the gates of the compound. Her demand is that the Solitaire leave the bay or else her hunger strike will continue. Local fisherman Pat O'Donnell has just been arrested whilst trying to defend his lobster pots. Meanwhile, internet services in the area have been mysteriously cut...

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"a coffin, and the Ministers polishing it"

Remember the 3rd of September. That is the day the economic conservative consensus died, when all the certainties propagated by our one-party state were shredded. Fiona Fail has panicked in the face of rapid economic deterioration, brought forward the budget by a few weeks, and in that simple, technical act has unintentionally composed a dirge. No one day heralds the end of something as complex and layered as an economic cycle. But they can serve up symbols. September 3rd is such a symbol – of a coffin, and the Ministers polishing it.

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