Open mike 29/03/2010

43 comments on “Open mike 29/03/2010 ”

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1. BLiP 1

   29 March 2010 at 7:09 am

   RIP – Don Peebles.
   • travellerev 1.1

     29 March 2010 at 9:33 am

     I didn’t know the man, being a recently imported foreigner but thanks for the link. Beautiful work.
2. Janice 2

   29 March 2010 at 8:20 am

   Wonderful deflection attack by Wodney onto Williams. Apparently nothing now in the MSM about mining or whaling. Morning Report has brought the allegations hook, line and sinker. This should earn the yellow coated one some good Brownlee points and John Key can get back to his real job of opening things that Labour instigated, wowing school girls and smiling and waving. Well done that man.
3. travellerev 3

   29 March 2010 at 9:35 am

   I didn’t know the man, being a relatively recentl imported foreigner but thanks for the link. Beautiful work.
4. Bored 4

   29 March 2010 at 9:51 am

   heard some thing on the radio about Rod deane being appointed to find savings of $50 million from the Navy….heard no more, Gootgled but zip. Anybody else know something?
   • prism 4.1

     29 March 2010 at 10:01 am

     Bored I heard something on Nat Radio on this couple weeks back I think. When I don’t know. I don’t get much of my info from tv or other radio so probably it was Nat. and possibly 9tonoon. Sorry I can’t be definite.
5. prism 5

   29 March 2010 at 9:57 am

   Interesting item on Nat Radio this morning. We have set up regulations and preferential treatment that ease synthetic carpeting and textiles into buildings seeking to get a ‘green tick’ (not Telecom’s) for their design. The clauses in the regulations and the way that testing is done to satisfy requirements, manage to push our wool home-made quality, good serviceable carpet lower down in the most acceptable listings, which benefit synthetics.

   We have been shooting ourselves in the foot since restructuring with not supporting our own industries. Price was everything then as one excuse, but I remember a story about expensive office furnishing being imported from Italy for some bureaucrat big-wig.

   And the ‘tough love’ approach to our own manufactures has continued since then. We have to compete with the world, raise our standards, efficiencies or we shouldn’t be in that business is the refrain. Heh heh. Little country down the bottom of the world is meant to stand astride the world like a colossus and take on other countries trade trickeries and quick-thinking businesses to meet their colossuses’ nose to nose. An equal playing field – no one where our rugby nuts weave around active legal minefields.

   There are of course trade agreements where we give up rights to get trading opportunities for ourselves. But we don’t have to draw up regulations that disadvantage NZ business – that’s stupid. Government should be tilting the trading table towards our side as much as we can. (Interesting China legal case against mining company Rio Tinto employees now. Big and powerful as they are, they don’t sit back when their interests are affected.)
6. nzfp 6

   29 March 2010 at 10:34 am

   Thje effects of “Globalisation”, in particular the “Multilateral Agreement on Investment” (MAI) and the “Genaral Agreement on Tariffs and Trade” (GATT) were predicted well in advance of their implementation (c.f. the so called “Free Trade” agreemens our Labour and National governments like to sign with foreign economic super powers China, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA etc…). For a very prophetic insight into the predicted effects of Globalisation, have a look at the 1995 interview of Sir James Goldsmith (Gemima Khan’s father – the former wife of Cricket legend Imran Khan) on the US show “Charlie Rose”.

   http://thevelocityofmoney.blogspot.com/1994/11/sir-james-goldsmiths-1994-globalization.html

   Sir James Goldsmith describes how the shift from locally produced goods to goods produced anywhere in the world could destroy the prosperous economies of the developed world that were built up over centuries. This will happen, according to him, because global free trade will create unbridgeable divide between the rich over the ordinary people.

   The rich will stay rich by investing their capital into Multinational Companies. In order to compete and make profits, these companies will exploit ever cheaper sources of labour in developing countries.

   source: googlevideo, solarireport
   • Draco T Bastard 6.1

     29 March 2010 at 1:03 pm

     The rich will stay rich by investing their capital into Multinational Companies. In order to compete and make profits, these companies will exploit ever cheaper sources of labour in developing countries.

     It’s fairly obvious when you think about it which can really only mean that the economists didn’t, and don’t, think about it (either that or they’re owned lock, stock and barrel by the capitalists). The “free-market” starts a race to the bottom for the majority of the worlds population as those few that can command the worlds resources (due to the way capitalism channels the wealth into fewer and fewer hands) seek ever lower wages.
7. prism 7

   29 March 2010 at 11:02 am

   Comment by commentator on radio that less Irish working class getting involved with Catholic church there. Apparently the church is holding numbers but mainly amongst the older people. The disclosures about the Church, financial misbehaviour, questions about a pope’s death, questions about this pope’s attitudes about sexual misbehaviour and standards in the priesthood, are lessening the glue to that Church. I wonder how many stories about sexual misbehaviour in the church in Italy have shown up? The adage – absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely would apply to situations in that country I am sure.

   The less people belonging to religions that outlaw contraception such as the Catholic church has attempted, the better. Our booming population, about 6 billion, will continue to increase unsustainably without controls by people in the fertile age. The preference for large families to continue this tradition, us already a luxury that is unaffordable by the planet. We are intelligent, but what use is that when we refuse to act on the facts we cleverly observe and table?Apparently 2 billion is the number regarded as sustainable. Joe Bennett says that China has about 1.6 billion people in his book about where underpants come from!

   Unfortunately the attitudes of the Catholic church about women and sexuality are that sexuality is not right for a ‘godly’ man or woman. Priests can preach about the ideal of marriage but have no right to it themselves . Women are respected as mothers, an abstract form is the ideal. Because their sexuality must be denied and overcome instead of being a normal, regular part of their lives, they become vulnerable to transferring those irrepressible sexual needs to a vulnerable group, children who are without the baggage of ‘sin’ and the idea of female impurity.

   The idea that sexuality should be set aside for whatever reason, debases this core aspect of human life and prevents rational discussion about problems.
   We are intelligent, but what use is that when we refuse to look at and act in relation to the facts we cleverly observe and table?

   Interesting that the ‘racy’ and unsuitable billboard about god being a hard act to follow put up by a liberal churchman has not been censured. Getting attitudes to sexuality right and balanced sure is difficult.
   • BLiP 7.1

     29 March 2010 at 1:02 pm

     You would need to consider the history of the Catholic Church and its hand-in-glove meshing with the functioning of the Irish state for a full understanding of why the working class have been driven from the teachings of Christ. Perhaps its the twisting of St Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, as expressed by Canon 33 from the Council of Elvira, which was a first century spin to commence the consolidation of land within the Church rather than amongst the family of then-married Catholic clergy – although the current Pope, along with many fundamentalists has abandoned Christ altogether by citing the Old Testament to justify the unnatural state of celibacy – but, whatever it was, the Catholic Church in Ireland became a haven for society’s misfits and a self-perpetuating school of sexual sadism. By offering the cheapest education and child welfare services, the Papists provided a de facto and unaccountable government department. In turn, the working class provided a cheap labour force and a steady supply of victims.

     This is the human face of the consequences of what happens when a fallen Church and an impoverished State fail to to stay within the bounds of their own, separate estates.
     • prism 7.1.1

       29 March 2010 at 2:39 pm

       That’s interesting Blip. I flounder in trying to get understanding of the churches’ precepts, often contradictory.
       “Perhaps its the twisting of St Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians, as expressed by Canon 33 from the Council of Elvira, which was a first century spin to commence the consolidation of land within the Church rather than amongst the family of then-married Catholic clergy although the current Pope, along with many fundamentalists has abandoned Christ altogether by citing the Old Testament to justify the unnatural state of celibacy”

       Didn’t realise that Catholic clergy could marry at one time. I have noticed how much weight is put on the Old Testament which in my naivety I thought had been overtaken by Christ and his principles. It seems that Christ’s way is a good path – though he didn’t write down his own teachings the words give meaning and direction. Reading a bit of philosophy from such as Schopenhauer is interesting but the idea of a flawed person stepping up to make a good life isn’t somehing that strikes about his work. Whereas Christ gives hope and a way. So why is the Old Testament not just a history instead of a guide.
       captcha is manipulation.
       • BLiP 7.1.1.1

         29 March 2010 at 4:01 pm

         Don’t get me started.
   • Draco T Bastard 7.2

     29 March 2010 at 1:22 pm

     Try 7 billion.

     Other than that I agree with you. We know that our population is unsustainable but we do nothing about it. This is, I believe, is because of capitalisms need for eternal growth. If the population stops growing the markets stop growing and capitalism fails.
     • prism 7.2.1

       29 March 2010 at 2:15 pm

       With keeping population growth down there is a lot of emotionalism, nostalgia and traditionalism/individualism (we had large families in the past and why shouldn’t I do the same, I won’t be told what to do) tied up in thinking about family size.

       Soon as any reasoned discussion starts on limiting births in some way, the heat starts up. I should try writing about pot-bellied starving children and parents trying to maintain their dependent little people on whatever.. Probably wouldn’t have one comment. Or someone would say proudly how they support some overseas charity, or give the good news about how they have built homes with Habitat or built rain-water tanks (which are very good at keeping a supply of clean water to hand).

       But in the USA the fundamentalist Christians have enough political grunt to stonker aid to some countries until they agree to have no abortions and I am not sure where they stand on condoms, or injections to cut down on the sex hormones for a time.
       When this is the approach from a supposedly educated, developed country it is hard for the poorer countries that need aid grants to make headway.
8. Ianmac 8

   29 March 2010 at 11:38 am

   Prism: The denial of birthcontrol in Catholic countries is criminal given the World overpopulation. In counties which have so much poverty and so limited education, it is to compound the problem by demanding no birth control because your God “says” so. This is immoral.
   • prism 8.1

     29 March 2010 at 12:34 pm

     ianmac I was surprised to find a stat somewhere that in Italy itself, home of Roman Catholicism – average family size is small. Must look that up. Do other religions have such rigid limitations on contraception do you know?

     This ancient taboo against females is interesting too. There are some remnants of isolated ancient refuges in Greece where monks of some order withdrew for a hermetic life, and one peninsula was blocked off so the story goes, and no female human or animal was allowed past. It would be sad if to keep our human numbers down we had to have such extraordinary divisions.

     Ever read The Handmaids Tale – a scenario of life after some disaster. It would be good if we could keep to much the same as now, only better managed by we individuals.
     • Ianmac 8.1.1

       29 March 2010 at 3:24 pm

       Prism: I had in mind some S American countries and I believe Mexico has a Catholic birth control problem. Poverty linked to large families.
       On the other hand the Chinese plan to limit families to one child has had consequences. Huge imbalance of boys to girls. Over-indulgence for one child family. Loss of extended familiy support system. In NZ the family average of 2point something is maybe from Catholic disobedience, good Health system, and educated masses.
       World overpopulation is I think is the biggest problem alongside water and climate change.
9. Jum 9

   29 March 2010 at 11:41 am

   Yes Goldman Sachs was quick to move its money from America to China because it was more lucrative. These stateless rich folk have no loyalty to any place or anyone. The NZ businessmen who have made their money off our backs and now live offshore for tax purposes are a sad example of that. Why we allow them to donate money to any political parties I don’t know. Their only thought is for their bank balances or political agendas and they will do anything, sell out anyone and even plot against our leaders to do just that.

   What does that say about us all? It says that we are willing to allow cheaper and cheaper labour to produce cheaper goods to make more money for ourselves. Unfortunately, the cheaper labour has now become our own children. In New Zealand JKeyll is already achieving that for his masters.
   • prism 9.1

     29 March 2010 at 1:01 pm

     Clever Jum – JKeyll (and Hide) ! Hadn’t heard that one before.
     Well we are stuck with our businessmen many of whom are smart at moving money around than adding value to stuff. But my contention is that we could be doing better with what we have, where we’re at right now and there are just a lot of bottoms -thinking going on. I read the business news when I have time and wonder a bit about whether we can have an economy that offers well-paying jobs, when businesses suffer with our high exchange/currency problems, can’t get markets overseas etc.
     In farming – Why isn’t our wool selling better. After our lamb got hit with high tariffs in the USA a decade ago in retaliation to Australia breaking a gentleman’s agreement on quota, did we go ahead with marketing plans with USA producers or on our own to increase the potential in that market for lamb? If we did we should be selling better than we are now.
     And did the merino wool suppliers with special micron counts get the right to a special market promotion for this growing niche etc.
     Often the bottoms win in NZ – and we won’t ever get by unless we get sharper and faster with getting real business not running ponzi schemes, conning people pretending to be builders, and letting shonky tourism operators undercut the integrity of our brand.
   • BLiP 9.2

     29 March 2010 at 1:19 pm

     I see JKeyll’s alma mater is in the news again, this time concerning alleged dodgy-dealings in relation to the attempted sale of an Australian mining company operating in New Zealand to a Chinese company.

     When the deal fell over Blinglish said the sale did not go through because it failed to meet the Overseas Investment Office criteria for substantial and identifiable benefit. As with most Blinglish statements, it contained only a portion of the truth.
10. Ianmac 10

    29 March 2010 at 11:43 am

    Tapu Misa in today’s Herald has again nailed the Welfare myths. Wish I could have said what she says though to be fair there have been many comments on the Standard which are very much in agrreement.
    Lack of data re rorters and bludgers. Length of time benefits are used by individuals etc
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10634947&pnum=2
11. Jum 11

    29 March 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Yes Prism and Ianmac

    The Church is quick to reel in converts but does nothing I suppose about the witch doctors who advise men with aids to rape babies which is supposed to cure them. Information sharing is not one of their strong points.

    For those people who gain succour from belonging to the church I suggest they talk to their top guy and cut out the middlemen. It seems to be a lot safer.
    • nzfp 11.1

      29 March 2010 at 1:51 pm

      Does the HIV virus really cause AIDs? There are many scientists (virologists), including Peter H. Duesberg, Ph.D. professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, who argue that HIV is coincidental and that AIDs is caused by environmental factors.

      For discussion on this topic listen to an interview by JanIrvin of GnosticMEdia.com with Steve “Stars” Allen documentary producer and investigative journalist, producer of “HIV=AIDS – Fact or Fraud” an indepth expose of the HIV/AIDS scandal:

      Podcast #066 – HIV = AIDS: Fact or Fraud? – An Interview with Steve Allen
      http://gnosticmedia.podomatic.com/enclosure/2010-02-22T00_17_11-08_00.mp3

      You can watch Steves 113 minute documentary “HIV = AIDS: Fact or Fraud” for free on google video:
      http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8142733917997460212&ei=qvivS43LM4bEqgKJpKHkBg&q=HIV%3DAIDS+-+Fact+or+Fraud#

      For more information see Steves website “HIV = AIDS: Fact or Fraud”
      http://www.hiv-aids-factorfraud.com/
12. DeeDub 12

    29 March 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Well, well, well…… three holes in the ground!
13. nzfp 13

    29 March 2010 at 3:03 pm

    On March 22 2010 the “Global Times of China”[1] reported that “China predicts trade deficit” at the same time on March 26 2010 “Money and Markets”[2] reported that US “Treasuries Riskier Than Toilet Paper” specifically that Bond investors are now viewing [US] Treasuries as riskier than a vast array of corporate debt. They’d rather own bonds backed by sales of toilet paper than the full faith and credit of the United States.

    Money and Markets reported that:

    “[I]nvestors are backing away from sovereign debt and gravitating toward corporate securities. The auctions of $42 billion in 5-year Treasury notes and $32 billion in 7-year notes this week were stark examples of Uncle Sam’s fading fortunes. Bidding was weaker than expected and the Treasury was forced to offer generous yields to get the money it desperately needs. The message from the markets is loud and clear: Get your financial house in order or we’ll FORCE you to do it!”

    From these two articles we can deduce that China is investing heavily in foreign commodities and foreign assets (such as NZ mining and NZ farms and agriculture) and that China is not investing in US Treasuries. We can expect to see increased interest in NZ companies and natural assets as China divests itself of the 800 Billion in US Bonds it holds.

    [1] http://business.globaltimes.cn/china-economy/2010-03/514703.html
    [2] http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/bond-market-verdict-treasuries-riskier-than-toilet-paper-38454
    • prism 13.1

      29 March 2010 at 4:21 pm

      nzfp – That’s eye-opening and eye-watering stuff. I knew that China was putting money into the States by buying bonds or something, virtually propping up the States (thanks to Richard Nixon opening that gate). They were financing their customers like Farmers department store customers get finance from Farmers finance arm, or allied business.

      Interesting to think where that money is going to go. Will the air go out of Uncle Sam’s flag? Will there be anything left for little us living in this country.
      Can we set our own standards on exports if China comes with a large shopping trolley?
      Funny how we don’t protect ourselves. Apparently it is absurdly easy to set up in business with little checking done on probity. Recently there was a fuss about a woman who had about 50 businesses registered ready to go into her latest venture. One of the businesses she was connected to imported or exported something unsavoury. Been listening to story about the Japanese criminal gang who are so pervasive over there. It may be hard to do honest business soon.
      • nzfp 13.1.1

        29 March 2010 at 4:58 pm

        Don’t be afraid of China,
        Between 1405 and 1433, the Chinese Ming government sponsored a series of seven naval expeditions. Emperor Zhu Di designed them to establish a Chinese presence, impose imperial control over trade, and impress foreign peoples in the Indian Ocean basin. However after 25 years, the ships returned and China turned it’s back on the world and embraced an isolationist policy. Essentially China dismissed any interest in colonial expansionism and imperialism beyond the civilised borders of the “Middle Kingdom”.

        However that said we shouldn’t allow our Government to privatise and sell our natural monopolies or the assets of the citizens of our nation.
        • prism 13.1.1.1

          29 March 2010 at 8:22 pm

          I keep reading bits about China, find it fascinating and have Joseph Needham’s book but haven’t studied it fully yet. NZs have long associations – Rewi Alley, have book relating Kathleen Hall, family were missionaries there, Gladys Aylward’s story. The brave determined Chinese travellers who came to this so foreign country to work and try to earn by sifting through the gold diggings etc.

          But business is business and we could get swallowed up, our ventures overseas can cost us dearly if they don’t go right. In Australia, Ansett. In China, the milk powder and melanin scandal cost Fonterra. That was there, but if dodgy investors do a leaky building scam on us in our important dairy sector, that would blot our rosettes for best of butter, milk powder.
14. BLiP 14

    29 March 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Yes, yes, yes: it concerns an important topic of concern to all of us but, seriously, does the New Zealand Fox News Herald have to feed off the New Zealand Woman’s Weekly for its “National Headlines” . . . oh, hang on a sec, APN owns which publications?
    • nzfp 14.1

      29 March 2010 at 4:47 pm

      Hey Blip,
      That’s exactly why I am reading “The Standard” and not reading NewsCorp/Fairfax/Disney/CNN/CBS/ABC/Stuff/NZHerald/etc… etc… etc..

      Not to belittle the truly awful thing that happened to Nicky, but it really doesn’t affect my life.

      What does affect my life is the revelation that this is the first time I have ever known China to run a trade deficit and the first time I have ever known the US Treasury sales to fail (it has happened before but I wasn’t economically or politically aware when it did).

      I can only speculate that the two events are linked – but the speculation is based on the fact that China was (now Japan) the largest holder of US treasuries. This could mean that China is attempting to strengthen it’s economy by hardening the Yuan with commodities for a push to improve conditions locally and create a new reserve currency to rival the oil and US military backed Federal Reserve Note. Or it may not, either way a US on the verge of Soverign downgrade from AAA to AA+ or lower along with all the many many many economic implications that come with that and an economic powerhouse like China’s increased appetite for NZ commodities both absolutely affect me and everyone else in our nation.

      But hey I could be wrong – I’m not an economist or a political pundit – but I can read.
      • BLiP 14.1.1

        29 March 2010 at 9:44 pm

        Methinks wires have crossed . . .

        I have no squabble with your comments in regard to China. In fact, I would say “The West” has pretty much had its day and the lifestyle currently endured by the sino-peasant/coal miner is about all our great grand children have to look forward to.
        • nzfp 14.1.1.1

          29 March 2010 at 11:29 pm

          Hey BLiP,
          Nah mate – I was trying to reinforce your observation about what the corporate media choose to identify as “news” worthy. Which is why I’m pleased to have randomly stumbled across this site. The news passed through a critical / sceptical human filter makes for interesting reading.
15. bobo 15

    29 March 2010 at 7:54 pm

    So John Banks and John Tamihere might run a joint bid for mayor , that’s no surprise if its true, i’m sure there’s a nice payment in it for JT, but Matt McCarten involved in their campaign?? WTF? Trying to split Len Brown’s vote in the south & west so Banks gets in by default. Things are hotting up..
    • felix 15.1

      29 March 2010 at 8:24 pm

      Links plox? Sounds intriguing…
    • Jenny 15.2

      29 March 2010 at 9:21 pm

      What ARE you talking about, Bobo?
      • bobo 15.2.1

        30 March 2010 at 1:54 pm

        Jenny it was on TV3 news yesterday here’s the clip about JT running with John Banks, I was surprised to see Matt McCarten’s name linked with it. It could all be BS but was interesting. John Banks has a few tricks up his sleeve yet.

        http://www.3news.co.nz/Tamihere-to-join-Banks-in-super-city-race/tabid/370/articleID/148662/Default.aspx
16. Nick 16

    29 March 2010 at 8:46 pm

    Yay! Obamacare! Change! Hope!

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/26/att-joins-growing-list-firms-say-health-care-law-cut-profits/

    The reality….
    • Pascal's bookie 16.1

      29 March 2010 at 9:21 pm

      Here’s what they are talking about:

      Under the 2003 Medicare prescription drug program, companies that provide prescription drug benefits for retirees have been able to receive subsidies covering 28 percent of eligible costs. But they could deduct the entire amount they spent on these drug benefits — including the subsidies — from their taxable income.

      The new law allows companies to only deduct the 72 percent they spent.

      So these ‘profits’ that they are losing, come from a tax rort provided to them by Bush’s dog of Medicare package, (a law which, unlike this one, added to the US deficit). That’s just awful. For shame!

      In any case, the congress will be hearing their complaints in a hearing next month, where they can present their figures.
17. Bill 17

    29 March 2010 at 9:35 pm

    A thought for bedtime….

    “The unraveling of America mirrors the unraveling of Yugoslavia. The Balkan war was not caused by ancient ethnic hatreds. It was caused by the economic collapse of Yugoslavia. The petty criminals and goons who took power harnessed the anger and despair of the unemployed and the desperate. They singled out convenient scapegoats from ethnic Croats to Muslims to Albanians to Gypsies. They set in motion movements that unleashed a feeding frenzy leading to war and self-immolation. There is little difference between the ludicrous would-be poet Radovan Karadzic, who was a figure of ridicule in Sarajevo before the war, and the moronic Glenn Beck or Sarah Palin. There is little difference between the Oath Keepers and the Serbian militias. We can laugh at these people, but they are not the fools. We are. ”

    http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/is_america_yearning_for_fascism_20100329/
    • nzfp 17.1

      29 March 2010 at 11:43 pm

      That’s an interesting observation,
      Webster Griffin Tarpley made a similar comment in an interview with Kevin Barrett recently. Tarpley asserted that the Obama Regime is very similar to pre Hitler Weimar Germany. Tarpley stated that the 24th March 2010 was the 80th anniversary of the fall of the Weimar Republic with the last Bill passed with a majority vote (c.f. the Health Care Reform Bill). Tarpley compared the conditions in modern Obama USA with those of 1930’s Weimar Germany. Tarpley also made the comment that Depression plus Deflation led to Fascism and Tyrannical Dictatorship.

      Listen for yourselves here: http://www.americanfreedomradio.com/Barrett_10.html specifically this mp3: http://www.americanfreedomradio.com/archive/Truth-Jihad-32k-032710.mp3

      Tarpley also described how Hitler implemented an economic transformation in Germany with the construction of the Autoban – interestingly we did something similar in NZ under Sir Michael Joseph Savages Labour party in 1935. You can read a very good description of how the Weimar Hyperinflation was caused by the German “Private” central bank and shorting of the Deutch Mark by other private banks in an article by Ellen Hodgson Brown here: http://www.webofdebt.com/articles/hyperinflation.php

      I would also recommend her book “Web of Debt”
      • Bill 17.1.1

        30 March 2010 at 9:54 am

        When I have the time I will listen to the links you’ve provided, but meantime I was going to throw in something that Hedges has over looked.

        I have no problem with an analysis laying the blame for civil collapse and anti-social movements at the foot of economic hardship and exclusion…

        But their was another ingredient present in Yugoslavia and elsewhere absent from the situation in the US, and that is International Financial Institutions and corporations lending their hand to disintegrative forces in the name of economic rationalisation and (quietly) market share.

        But the US calls the shots in the IMF and WB…there is nothing to gain by collapsing US civil society, unlike in Poland or Russia or wherever. Meanwhile, corporations in the productive sector are moving out, not into the US, while the financial sector is already mature and well looked after.
18. nzfp 18

    29 March 2010 at 11:46 pm

    And while you’re listening to Tarpley or reading Ellen H Brown, listen to Disposable Heroes of Hiphopracy’s “Language of Violence”.

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