BF2S Forums Icelandic government becomes first to be brought down.

Whale blubber isn't selling too good these days, and its economy has been on the rocks ever since the fur seal clubbing bubble popped in the late '90s.  Same shit that is happening in the US.

ATG wrote:

The government of Iceland today became the first to be effectively brought down by the credit crunch.

After several nights of rioting over the financial crisis, Prime Minister Geir Haarde, surrendered to increasing pressure and called a general election for May.

A poll would not normally be held until 2011.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldne … runch.html

I wonder if the protesters were storming the banks, who are ultimately to blame for what has happened in Iceland.


So, I'm curious; will there still be the usual chorus of voices blaming individuals for having poor foresight and personal responsibility?
Are the Icelanders now out of work and with their investments gone to blame? I suggest not. Greed, unregulated banks and a desire to get rich quick is what happened. Sound familiar?

Protests had been held weekly since the crisis broke last year, but since Tuesday have been held every night.

On Thursday, police used teargas on demonstrators for the first time since protests against the North Atlantic island's entry into the NATO alliance in 1949.

Special forces had to rescue Haarde from his car after he was surrounded by an furious mob hurling eggs and cans outside the government offices, in Reykjavik.

I hope that Western governments take heed of what is happening, for if this situation is not brought under control the disorder and unrest shall spread like a plague.

Here is words from the horses ass in charge of our end.

A swing and a miss.

Let me add to that question:

How many of the rioters are NOT buried in debt?

Unemployment here is rising like no tomorrow, it's estimated to hit 15% in a few months. That's a ridiculous increase, seeing as it has been 0% for as long as I remember.

I'm incredibly thankful that both my parents are government hired employees and are in little as no danger of being lain off. Some people are having a REALLY hard time, being unemployed and living on the ridiculously low unemployment compensation, which is $1,100 per month on average. It can be hard living on $1,100 per month, the cost of living in Iceland has always been very high, only to be justified by the high wages we have, well, without the high wages it's plainly crazy trying to live here. I can really see people moving off this rock to live somewhere in Europe being reality in the near future.

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

It's sad to see this, especially since Iceland was (at one time at least) one of the best countries in the world to live in.

They were the #1 country in the latest HDI.  I have a feeling they're going to fall pretty far down that list by the time the next one is released.  I suppose Norway will reclaim the #1 spot.

Granted, America has fallen down to #15, and I have a feeling Spain will advance past us by the next HDI.

EDIT:  At ATG's request, here is the wiki on the HDI for those interested.  It's a pretty comprehensive measurement of the quality of life throughout many countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index

Woot Australia #4. take that you yanks!

(jokes)

lowing wrote:

Mekstizzle wrote:

Riots eh? I guess we were right all along branding Icelanders as terrorists

Now that ya mention it, a rioter is a terrorist.  Or do you have a different definition for a person who uses violence and intimidation to skew opinions?

By your definition the Americans that fought the British for independence were terrorists. is that how you view them?

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

lowing wrote:

Mekstizzle wrote:

Riots eh? I guess we were right all along branding Icelanders as terrorists

Now that ya mention it, a rioter is a terrorist.  Or do you have a different definition for a person who uses violence and intimidation to skew opinions?

By your definition the Americans that fought the British for independence were terrorists. is that how you view them?

touche

lowing wrote:

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

lowing wrote:

Now that ya mention it, a rioter is a terrorist.  Or do you have a different definition for a person who uses violence and intimidation to skew opinions?

By your definition the Americans that fought the British for independence were terrorists. is that how you view them?

In the eyes of the British and the status quo of the day, yup they were.

Also note, that it did not start as a revolution, no one wanted to break away from England they were in fact proud British citizens. That whole no taxation without representation left them with little choice.

Also remember the first shots were not fired by the "terrorists" they were fired by the British.

One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. its been like that for thousands of years

lowing wrote:

Mekstizzle wrote:

Riots eh? I guess we were right all along branding Icelanders as terrorists

Now that ya mention it, a rioter is a terrorist.  Or do you have a different definition for a person who uses violence and intimidation to skew opinions?

I think you're mistaken in thinking that rioters actually have a coherent goal in mind when rioting. Me, I always thought they were just pissed off.

Hey, your country, not mine.

Little BaBy JESUS wrote:

Turquoise wrote:

It's sad to see this, especially since Iceland was (at one time at least) one of the best countries in the world to live in.

They were the #1 country in the latest HDI.  I have a feeling they're going to fall pretty far down that list by the time the next one is released.  I suppose Norway will reclaim the #1 spot.

Granted, America has fallen down to #15, and I have a feeling Spain will advance past us by the next HDI.

EDIT:  At ATG's request, here is the wiki on the HDI for those interested.  It's a pretty comprehensive measurement of the quality of life throughout many countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index

Woot Australia #4. take that you yanks!

(jokes)

I'd imagine Australia is a nice place to live in when it comes to social programs, education, safety, and climate, but your current trend of censorship is kind of a deal breaker for me.  I know that probably sounds odd, but Americans place a lot of value on freedoms -- including freedom of speech and choice.

Mekstizzle wrote:

Gotta agree with Turk about that, censorship in Australia is a joke. Dunno how they, of all countries, can go and follow the US etc.. into the various wars on the precipice of freedom etc.. when they're probably the least free country in the developed world with the highest level of censorship, and racism. I mean perhaps Iceland, and the US etc.. have riots, but at least they're (no longer) race riots etc.. better to riot against your government or for economic reasons than to riot because someone is of a difference race/religion to you

Thanks...  although I will concede that we still have racism here.  Right now, there's a big problem in Oakland, CA over the police shooting an unarmed black man.  Some riots have occurred, and their inspiration is definitely one of racial tension.

Turquoise wrote:

Right now, there's a big problem in Oakland, CA over the police shooting an unarmed black man.  Some riots have occurred, and their inspiration is definitely one of racial tension.

no, its because they are retards out there.  the cop fucked up....of course.  why arent there any riots when a doctor kills someone by mistake?  ya i know people are going to say the doctor was trying to save someone, but thats not true all the time.  people are fucking stupid.  and oakland has always been a shit stain.

Last edited by usmarine (2009-01-25 07:59:46)