The Portuguese suicide | 53 comments (52 topical, 1 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: The Portuguese suicide (4.00 / 2)

Spain is almost certain to follow suit. The PP's Rajoy will do out of conviction what Zapatero did allegedly out of a sense of statesmanship.

ElPais.com in English: Rajoy hints at drastic cuts if he wins elections (03/06/2011)

"We will have a welfare state we can afford," says PP chief
...
Prior to addressing the Círculo de Economía forum, US economist Joseph Stigliz, who won the Nobel Prize in 2001, argued that excessive cuts in public spending could lead to economic stagnation similar to that seen in Greece. But Rajoy was firm in his convictions.
"We will have a welfare state that we can afford," he said. "An African nation may want to have a large welfare state but cannot. If we reactivate the economy and create jobs, then more taxes will be paid and we will have a welfare state. And we will have one to fit our means. As I said before, I would like to maintain public health and pensions ? that is the red line. But I think that coming up with a global package mixed with an austerity plan will be good."

Economics is politics by other means

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 17th, 2011 at 09:25:03 AM EST

Re: The Portuguese suicide (none / 0)

Weird invocation of "African nation."

by Upstate NY on Fri Jun 17th, 2011 at 01:24:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Portuguese suicide (4.00 / 2)

L'Afrique commence aux Pyrenées.

Economics is politics by other means

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Jun 17th, 2011 at 06:06:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My dear boy... (none / 0)

the niggers start at Calais.

_{It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue
- Queen Elizabeth II}

by eurogreen on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 08:02:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (none / 0)

Wait a minute! We can use the "N" word here?

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 08:12:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (4.00 / 2)

Only when quoting pompous assholes.

Economics is politics by other means

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 08:44:11 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (none / 1)

the wogs.

Please.

Europe is so funny. Each dim ethnic nationalism defines a different place where Africa starts - but it's always Africa where the humanism and culture of the Europe of Dachau runs out and the barbarism starts.

by rootless2 on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 10:29:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (none / 1)

In the other corner of South Europe, the question is where does the Middle East starts (outside Vienna, perhaps?)

"Eurozone leaders have turned a €50bn Greek solvency problem into a €1,000bn existential crisis for the European Union." David Miliband

by Kostis Papadimitriou on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 10:52:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (none / 0)

You mean, where does Asia start? It can start as far West as Germany: witness WWI-time British propaganda equating Germans with the Huns.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Tue Jun 21st, 2011 at 03:56:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (4.00 / 2)

Ha, ha.
Actually that with the Huns was self-inflicted!
Following the repression of the Boxer Rebellion in China, Kaiser Wilhelm II gave the infamous "Hun Speech" (1900), which goes like that:
"Just as a thousand years ago the Huns under their King Attila made a name for themselves, one that even today makes them seem mighty in history and legend, may the name German be affirmed by you in such a way in China that no Chinese will ever again dare to look cross-eyed at a German."

"Eurozone leaders have turned a €50bn Greek solvency problem into a €1,000bn existential crisis for the European Union." David Miliband

by Kostis Papadimitriou on Tue Jun 21st, 2011 at 11:10:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (none / 1)

Checking, he actually told it before the repression of the Boxer Rebellion (to the German troop contingent in the expedition army from Europe when they shipped out). One thing to note is the all too common circumstance that the Kaiser called for barbarism to teach barbarians (who were killing Europeans at the time, including a minister of Germany) a lesson; e.g. a fuller quote:

A great task awaits you: you are to revenge the grievous injustice that has been done. The Chinese have overturned the law of nations; they have mocked the sacredness of the envoy, the duties of hospitality in a way unheard of in world history. It is all the more outrageous that this crime has been committed by a nation that takes pride in its ancient culture. Show the old Prussian virtue. Present yourselves as Christians in the cheerful endurance of suffering. May honor and glory follow your banners and arms. Give the whole world an example of manliness and discipline.
You know full well that you are to fight against a cunning, brave, well-armed, and cruel enemy. Should you encounter the enemy, he will be defeated! No quarter will be given! Prisoners will not be taken! Whoever falls into your hands is forfeited. Just as a thousand years ago the Huns under their King Attila made a name for themselves, one that even today makes them seem mighty in history and legend, may the name German be affirmed by you in such a way in China that no Chinese will ever again dare to look cross-eyed at a German. Maintain discipline. May God's blessing be with you, the prayers of an entire nation and my good wishes go with you, each and every one. Open the way to civilization once and for all! Now you may depart! Farewell, comrades!

The other, more on point thing to note is that when Britain adapted this for WWI propaganda, it was conveniently forgotten that Britain and all its WWI allies were Germany's allies in this White Man's Revenge, in fact their troops from nearby colonies were busy raping and pillaging Beijing in line with Wilhelms speech before the troops from Europe reached China.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Wed Jun 22nd, 2011 at 04:15:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: My dear boy... (none / 0)

Methinks East-West borders of civilisation and barbarism are just as common if not more common, and just the Europe of Dachau preferred it.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Tue Jun 21st, 2011 at 03:55:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Portuguese suicide (none / 1)

There are some parallels here with the 20s and the 30s.

Now a conservative government. I bet something very different in 4 years or less (when these guys will be ousted in full force).

Things will continue to go down the drain with the next guys.

A military dictatorship in 5-8 years time?

by cagatacos on Sat Jun 18th, 2011 at 03:52:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The Portuguese suicide (4.00 / 8)

What worries me most right now from the point of view of narrative-setting is the reaction to the recent blockade of the Catalan parliament's session where brutal austerity was introduced.

The reactionary press is full of front pages calling the indignant action an "assault on democracy", and headlines comparing it directly to the 1981 coup attempt in Spain.

So, now, the reactionary right wing and the austerity party wrap themselves in the constitution as the indignants reject participation in the existing political structures (which means they don't want to attempt ---or have given up--- reforming the system).

This means things can only get worse. The right-wing Catalan nationalist president is already talking of "legitimate use of force" in response to the indignants. I fear the first Spanish protester to die in a clash with police is not far off. Then, all bets are off since the right will will close ranks to defend the established order.

Economics is politics by other means

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jun 18th, 2011 at 04:01:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

We're not far off. (4.00 / 3)

Give it a bit of time. More austerity, more refusal to participate in the "democratic process", we are now seeing that there is no democratic process without popular will, popular will which has been coopted by centers of power which have other interests than the popular will and which are committed to the statu quo whatever the consequence for a whole generation of people (noting in passing that the real unemployment rate among the young on Europe's periphery is now in excess of 50%, with no end in sight).

A lost generation to the statu quo is a new generation for true participatory democracy, of the sort first seen in the last decade of the 18th century (about which Chou En-Lai famously quipped that it is too early to tell the outcome), the excesses of which, to set us apart from the social democrats who have neutered the impulse and continue to do so today, we should embrace.

I suspect we will be to old to be but cheering spectators once the fun begins, and begin it will, in my lifetime.

The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet. Winston Churchill

by r------ on Sat Jun 18th, 2011 at 05:46:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: We're not far off. (none / 1)

Diary!

Economics is politics by other means

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jun 18th, 2011 at 06:11:39 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (none / 0)

This is Jérôme's space, after all...

Plus, quoting Mao is probably a bit controversial hereabouts ;-)

Double plus, it's been so long I've diaried I've forgotten my html...

The Hun is always either at your throat or at your feet. Winston Churchill

by r------ on Sat Jun 18th, 2011 at 06:42:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (none / 0)

Pfffft...

Economics is politics by other means

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Jun 18th, 2011 at 06:46:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (4.00 / 2)

C'mon red, join the fun. Referencing Mao ... I'm in a time machine, back in college. Bring it!

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 08:17:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (4.00 / 2)

My favorite Mao quote was "Get to the point comrade, you don't have to take your pants off to fart."

Maybe that says too much about my character.

by rootless2 on Mon Jun 20th, 2011 at 11:42:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (none / 0)

Did he really say that or is that just an urban legend?

They tried to assimilate me. They failed.

by THE Twank (yatta blah blah @ blah.com) on Wed Jun 22nd, 2011 at 06:26:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (none / 0)

i'm not inclined to doubt it. Anyways it seems characteristic.

by rootless2 on Sat Jul 9th, 2011 at 07:22:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (none / 1)

I wonder if the Leninist religion (another part of the Abrahamic tree of death) will also last 2000 years or more? Complete with splits, bitter internal fights, purges, millions of deaths. And a linear view of time:

Primitive communities --> sin --> rapture/socialism -> heaven.

(I am mixing Marxist myth with Christian myth. Is there any real difference?)

The truth is: these human sociopathic diseases are very resilient from a time perspective. Clearly they have something for them. Everlasting, unmovable conservative fanaticism (by conservative I mean not changing your world-view one single bit - reality be damned!).

by cagatacos on Wed Jun 22nd, 2011 at 09:07:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Afraid of sounding like Besancenot. (none / 0)

It's all going to be OK. The artificial genetics folks are working on precise mutations to remove a little of the urge to procreate. Check it out on physorg.com and such sites.

Maybe build in a bit more testosterone resistance in the males, a bit less fertility in the females. An aversion to meat protein, more of an ability to meditate on the beauty of the natural world.

It's coming. It's needed.

Align culture with our nature. Ot else!

by ormondotvos (ormond.otvosnospamgmialcon) on Sun Jul 3rd, 2011 at 05:29:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Portuguese suicide | 53 comments (52 topical, 1 editorial, 0 hidden)

Top Diaries

What's Next, After the Slam?

Shock Election Loss Rutte IV In Senate Race

Honduras Establishes Close Ties with China

A Return to Normalcy?

A Grand Slam for Ireland?

NI Protocol: It's all over bar the shouting?

Chinese peace principles for the war in Ukraine

The Windsor Framework

Recent Diaries

Neo-Nazi Marches Across Europe

Fascism Unites America, Israel and EU Neo-Nazis

What's Next, After the Slam?

Settler Extremism Blessed by Jerusalem Leaders

US Interference In Lebanon-Syria-Ira
q

City Agriculture - March 17, 2023

Shock Election Loss Rutte IV In Senate Race

Stalemate Endures, Pessimism Grows, Deaths Mount

Honduras Establishes Close Ties with China

A Grand Slam for Ireland?

Living In Spain and Social-Democracy

USA Censorship Act to Kill Disinformation

Flying Fortresses and Nuclear Threat

Universal Criticism Asylum Threshold EU Fortress

China Trade and Relations

SBU As a Terror Network

A Return to Normalcy?

Georgia and Foreign Agents or Spy Law

Nord Stream Blasts Timeline of Denial

Crimea As Endgame Before Going M.A.D.

Occasional Series