'Day of Action and Solidarity' across EU against austerity (except Ireland)

davet82

Trade union members in Portugal, Greece and Spain are holding both work stoppages and demonstrations today, in protest at the continuing implementation of austerity across the European Union.

Further action is expected in France, Italy, Cyprus and Belgium.

Flights, trains and other transport links across Europe are likely to be hit by today's 'Day of Action and Solidarity', which involves 40 groups from 23 countries.

seeing that we have it so handy here its probably wise not to get involved :rolleyes:

Blowfish

So wait, you actually want flights, trains and all transport disrupted here?

davet82

Blowfish wrote: »

So wait, you actually want flights, trains and all transport disrupted here?

flights are disrupted anyways so might aswell complete the set :cool:

fishy fishy

no wonder they can do what they like to us - we're like sitting ducks. :roll eyes: too stupid to move.

hatrickpatrick

Absolutely f*cking typical. This is no longer the great nation which caused the British Empire more trouble than any other colony due to its constant activism.

What the hell happened?!

Eve_Dublin

I have to agree. This is an embarrassment. People need to get off their holes.

CruelCoin

Ok, lets end austerity.

We have 35bill coming in and 55bill going out.

Without austerity budgets, where would you get the extra 20bill from?

And before you say it, no, taxing the rich will just not yield 20bill.

mike65

Just what Ireland needs right now - industrial walkouts, public sector clocking off, riots and the SWP handing out leaflets.

hatrickpatrick

CruelCoin wrote: »

Ok, lets end austerity.

We have 35bill coming in and 55bill going out.

Without austerity budgets, where would you get the extra 20bill from?

And before you say it, no, taxing the rich will just not yield 20bill.

The entire international monetary system needs to be completely overhauled to get everyone out of this mess. This is not about local taxation or austerity.

In a working system of trade, you aren't guaranteed a break down every 10-20 years. We have to move away from the money as debt model and end the inevitable boom and bust cycle that results.

But of course, the idea that banks shouldn't be for profit institutions which issue new currency as unpayable debt will seem "too radical" for most people :rolleyes:

Madam_X

davet82 wrote: »

seeing that we have it so handy here its probably wise not to get involved :rolleyes:

fishy fishy wrote: »

no wonder they can do what they like to us - we're like sitting ducks. :roll eyes: too stupid to move.

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Absolutely f*cking typical. This is no longer the great nation which caused the British Empire more trouble than any other colony due to its constant activism.

What the hell happened?!

So... you're people in Ireland not out protesting... giving out about people in Ireland not out protesting...

fishy fishy

mike65 wrote: »

Just what Ireland needs right now - industrial walkouts, public sector clocking off, riots and the SWP handing out leaflets.

:rolleyes: oh right we'll just sit nicely so and wait for the patronizing pat on the back from germany, and a tickle from edna kenny as he walks off into the sunset with his high salary and pension never to be seen again.

its time to wake up and smell the sh*t.

I think Ireland's fighting spirit is sadly only to be seen in the pensioners. As fare is this new generation - god help us all.

fishy fishy

Madam_X wrote: »

So... you're people in Ireland not out protesting... giving out about people in Ireland not out protesting...

been there, done that and will do it again time and time again. You? Do you go out, or do you leave it to others to try and fight for you.

hatrickpatrick

Madam_X wrote: »

So... you're people in Ireland not out protesting... giving out about people in Ireland not out protesting...

Who says I'm not protesting or trying to organize protests? O_o

Madam_X

fishy fishy wrote: »

:rolleyes: oh right we'll just sit nicely so and wait for the patronizing pat on the back from germany

Yes, that's what you're doing - you're no different to those you decry.

SEPT 23 1989

I will not protest with the trade Unions in this country

renofan

If you were a big multinational looking to setup in Ireland, Greece, Spain or Portugal I'd say I'd be right in saying Ireland would be top choice as we are working our way out, not going on strike every other day and causing mayhem. We are working at fixing our problems and I can say we'll get there before the countries that are always striking. Hopefully you can understand what I'm trying to say!

hatrickpatrick

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

I will not protest with the trade Unions in this country

F*ck guilty by association, that's like when people said "I'm not voting no to the treaty because SF are also voting no".

If you see a problem, protest about it. Doesn't matter if you don't approve of some of your fellow protesters, nobody supports every different movement that makes up a resistance do they?

Yakult

Madam_X wrote: »

So... you're people in Ireland not out protesting... giving out about people in Ireland not out protesting...

welcome to 2012, where internet comes to you anywhere and anytime, thanks to you friendly local mobile communications provider.

Madam_X

fishy fishy wrote: »

been there, done that and will do it again time and time again. You? Do you go out, or do you leave it to others to try and fight for you.

Yes I have done but haven't organised any marches. And I equally don't bitch about others not doing so.

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Who says I'm not protesting or trying to organize protests? O_o

I'm referring to this particular event though - why are you criticising everyone else in Ireland for not taking part when you're not either?

hatrickpatrick

renofan wrote: »

If you were a big multinational looking to setup in Ireland, Greece, Spain or Portugal I'd say I'd be right in saying Ireland would be top choice as we are working our way out, not going on strike every other day and causing mayhem. We are working at fixing our problems and I can say we'll get there before the countries that are always striking. Hopefully you can understand what I'm trying to say!

Define "get there"? We'll still be stuck with a dysfunctional financial and currency system if we don't force them to change it somehow, and the boom and bust cycle will inevitably repeat itself further down the line.

It's like getting a car serviced and the guy in the garage tells you "I can fix it, but I 100% guarantee it'll break down again in a month or two, you're better off getting a different mode of transport tbh"

Eve_Dublin

mike65 wrote: »

Just what Ireland needs right now - industrial walkouts, public sector clocking off, riots and the SWP handing out leaflets.

Ah come now! We're hardly known for our rioting. Most protests go off peacefully.


I irritates me when people come out with a line like the above - I don't live in Ireland but it seems there's anger there simmering below the surface of the general public, not just the unions, SWP, civil servants etc. who tend to give these protests a bad rep (mainly because not enough of us protest and they're the only ones who turn up). Everyone's been affected. Why not make that disgust known in a civilised manner? It's hardly the end of the world go hold a demonstration for one day. At least people wouldn't feel so impotent.

hatrickpatrick

Madam_X wrote: »

Yes I have done but haven't organised any marches. And I equally don't bitch about others not doing so.

I'm referring to this particular event though - why are you criticising everyone else in Ireland for not taking part when you're not either.

I tried to help organize a rally actually and got almost no interest in it.
I'll try and help organize the next one as well. And the next one.

I'm not criticizing people for not taking part, I'm criticizing people for not being enthusiastic enough in the first place for the event to even exist. These things are planned weeks or months in advance.

fishy fishy

Madam_X wrote: »

Yes I have done but haven't organised any marches. And I equally don't bitch about others not doing so.

could have fooled me (and others) with your previous post

Eve_Dublin

I think it's fair to criticise our lack of action and discuss the reasons why we don't though. Perhaps it could be a catalyst for change.

Micky Dolenz

These stoppages best not interrupt my winter sun holiday.

gobnaitolunacy

What have anti austerity protests (and occupy protests) ever achieved anyway?
Sweet fcuk all.

mike65

Eve_Dublin wrote: »

I irritates me when people come out with a line like the above - I don't live in Ireland but it seems there's anger there simmering below the surface of the general public, not just the unions, SWP, civil servants etc. who tend to give these protests a bad rep (mainly because not enough of us protest and they're the only ones who turn up). Everyone's been affected. Why not make that disgust known in a civilised manner? It's hardly the end of the world go hold a demonstration for one day. At least people wouldn't feel so impotent.

In what way will a march expedite a solution to the current fiscal hole Ireland sits in?

davet82

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

These stoppages best not interrupt my winter sun holiday.

bastard :pac:

hatrickpatrick

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

These stoppages best not interrupt my winter sun holiday.

I was going to give out to you but then noticed your 2-D Gorillaz avatar. Well played sir, well played

SafeSurfer

Blowfish wrote: »

So wait, you actually want flights, trains and all transport disrupted here?

No, lets not rock the boat. As long as we have enough to eat and a roof over our head we should be grateful.....oh many people have neither, oh.

maddragon

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

Absolutely f*cking typical. This is no longer the great nation which caused the British Empire more trouble than any other colony due to its constant activism.

What the hell happened?!

People forget it took us 800 years to get rid of them. An uprising every 60 years or so was hardly constant activism 1590s, 1640s, 1690s, 1798, 1840s, 1916-1922. We are just about due another one now however.

Cool_CM

fishy fishy wrote: »

its time to wake up and smell the sh*t.

I agree, Ireland as a country including bankers, politicians and people who were happy to go along with everything that was going on at the time fūcked up.

Now we all have to pay for it.

Eve_Dublin

mike65 wrote: »

In what way will a march expedite a solution to the current fiscal hole Ireland sits in?

It'd probably do nothing at all just as the protests here have been largely ineffective but something happened here during the week - large amounts of people have been protesting outside the properties of people who've been evicted from their home by banks. Last week the banks announced that they would delay evictions in extreme cases. This is a HUGE victory for the protestors.

Sometimes civil marches can bring about change and it has done in the past. It's worth a shot anyway.


And I suppose demonstrations like this raise awareness among the general population that all is not well. It was the catalyst for my interest in Spanish politics and encouraged me to question those who are leading us here. I've become more politically aware as a result. People want to vent their anger (circumstances are very bad here) and feel less impotent hence why they march here. I understand that feeling.

Just to say, I only protest because I live here and it's happening. I'd probably do nothing in Ireland, unfortunately.

hatrickpatrick

Cool_CM wrote: »

I agree, Ireland as a country including bankers, politicians and people who were happy to go along with everything that was going on at the time fūcked up.

Now we all have to pay for it.

The people who are in college and just graduating today had no vote back then, so this self imposed and misplaced guilt does not apply to them.
It is NOT your fault that your representatives lied to you. It is NOT your fault that the entire political and monetary system is tailored to suit a small elite minority with no regard for its effects on everyone else. It is NOT your fault that the banks were bailed out, you didn't have a vote on that.

Of course those in power want to sell us the idea that this is our crisis. It makes it so much easier for them to guilt us into "taking our medicine".

What saddens me is that so many people have bought it. Are we as a nation really that gullible?

Do you know where currency comes from as a matter of interest? The Euros you have in your pocket, where did they originate and how did they get into circulation?
The entire monetary system is a ponzi scheme and needs to go, ASAP.

SafeSurfer

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

What have anti austerity protests (and occupy protests) ever achieved anyway?
Sweet fcuk all.

Street protests in Greece resulted in a lowering of the interest rate on their bailout and in turn ours.

Thank you angry Greeks.

Hippies!

I'm protesting, where you all at?

smash

I stopped reading after "Trade union members"

gobnaitolunacy

SafeSurfer wrote: »

Street protests in Greece resulted in a lowering of the interest rate on their bailout and in turn ours.

Thank you angry Greeks.

So we should overturn cars and burn out O'Connell Street then?

tiny timy

Ah sure us irish are the best in europe for complaining and doing fcuk all about it, sure we love getting fcuked up the ar$e

Hippies!

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

So we should overturn cars and burn out O'Connell Street then?

Sounds good to me :pac:

smash

Hippies! wrote: »

Sounds good to me :pac:

Damn crusties...

Madam_X

Damn those trade unions protecting workers! Seriously, that's what they are, whether there are corrupt members or not. The anti trade union bandwagon is seriously knee-jerk.

fishy fishy wrote: »

could have fooled me (and others) with your previous post

How? Pointing out the hypocrisy of Irish people not out protesting now, criticising and rolling eyes at other Irish people not out protesting now, does not mean I wouldn't take part in organised marches.

awec

Trade unions... wasters.

SafeSurfer

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

So we should overturn cars and burn out O'Connell Street then?

ANGER IS AN ENERGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPj-8_wOZcA

smash

Madam_X wrote: »

Damn those trade unions protecting workers! Seriously, that's what they are, whether there are corrupt members or not. The anti trade union bandwagon is seriously knee-jerk.

Trade unions are outdated and no longer required in this day and age. They are corrupt to the core and need to be taken out.

ejmaztec

I'm revolting, who's with me?

AEDIC

maddragon wrote: »

People forget it took us 800 years to get rid of them. An uprising every 60 years or so was hardly constant activism 1590s, 1640s, 1690s, 1798, 1840s, 1916-1922. We are just about due another one now however.

Another uprising? About what?

Eve_Dublin

ejmaztec wrote: »

I'm revolting, who's with me?

You don't smell that bad ahuhuhuh.

Madam_X

AEDIC wrote: »

Another uprising? About what?

And who will start it?

Cool_CM

hatrickpatrick wrote: »

The people who are in college and just graduating today had no vote back then, so this self imposed and misplaced guilt does not apply to them.
It is NOT your fault that your representatives lied to you. It is NOT your fault that the entire political and monetary system is tailored to suit a small elite minority with no regard for its effects on everyone else. It is NOT your fault that the banks were bailed out, you didn't have a vote on that.

Of course those in power want to sell us the idea that this is our crisis. It makes it so much easier for them to guilt us into "taking our medicine".

What saddens me is that so many people have bought it. Are we as a nation really that gullible?

Do you know where currency comes from as a matter of interest? The Euros you have in your pocket, where did they originate and how did they get into circulation?
The entire monetary system is a ponzi scheme and needs to go, ASAP.

I am aware of where currency comes. I'm also aware that one of the notes I have in my wallet at the moment was printed in Ireland and the other in Germany.

You'll probably notice that I said "at the time". This doesn't apply to young people in University about to graduate or who have recently graduated. I graduated in 2009 and made the decision to leave the country to work abroad. Now I'm back in Ireland working and in University again. I wasn't able to vote when the politicians who were elected and re-elected by the majority of the Irish people made decisions that had major implications for future generations.

We can't control what the generation before us did, but we still have to answer for them and deal with the consequences.

ilovesleep

The trade unions eg Jack O Connor are still receiving nice, healthy pay packs. Why in the holy name of god is he going to organise protests like that with work stoppages, and disruption and marches? If the government listens his pay is going to be hit.