While discussing poverty over a fine dinner in Belfast 2004, my Greek friend said to me, “When you have nothing to sell you end up selling yourself to survive.”
It
instantly triggered a comment during a conversation some 16 years
earlier with the former director of publicity for Sinn Fein at a
catalytic event which changed attitudes and shepherded peace talks.
“Rather
be poor and free.” The comment came moments before a car carrying
two off duty British army soldiers crashed into an IRA combatants
funeral in West Belfast. The subsequent minutes were ones of chaos,
confusion and murder.
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Eurozone Freakout # 9
The
European Union is dying on its feet.
It is being force led by bankers
and financiers who put …..
Money,
Über alles ,
Merci Beaucoup
while the Greek
people are made to suffer indignity.
|
There
is a deep conflict of character behind the two statements. Both
represent the chilling degree of actions people go to maintain
existence and under what sky that existence is acceptable.
You
see, self inflicted injury is not the same as assault, even if the
damage is the same.
The
Greek finance minister said this week, “What
has particularly bothered me is the humiliation of the
country....clearly Greece can’t and shouldn’t do without the
European Union but it could do without the German boot.”
Are
these the words of a person who suspects he is not wanted. A citizen
just humiliated by his bank manager. A desperate householder denied
an extension to the overdraft but still clinging to the hope the
banker sitting opposite will listen to a rant about his
circumstances.
The
banker, in all cases, has studied the figures and concluded this
client is not a safe bet. Human emotions and compassion are
irrelevant in the world of international lending. Ask those who have
dealt with the IMF. A country's loss is the moneylender's gain.
Greece,
Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and others are being asked to
join the spirit and glory of an evolving SuperState Europe.....A
Europe United in Diversity......but not united in sickness and in
health or for better or for worse..........They are being told expect
no mercy if they don't or can't keep up with the premier division.
Europe
will fail, not on a Greek exit from the Euro or possible E.U. exit.
It will fail over the fear and threat to weaker member's of degrading
international humiliation and destruction of their democracy.
Luxembourg's
long time and well honoured leader has set the tone for the
Europeanisation of national political life......”Greece
must turn its budget cuts into law,... and have its major party
leaders sign up to the program so they don’t retreat after upcoming
elections.”
In
short, Protect the lenders over the living standards and well being
of Greek citizens. And to Hell
or Connaught
with democracy in that country.
My
mind drifts to the two statement above: “When
you have nothing to sell you end up selling yourself to survive!”
…........“Rather be poor and free!”
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