Earlier today, police in riot gear, wielding batons and firing rubber bullets moved on protestors in Madrid, Spain. Spanish newspapers are reporting that while only 20 people were arrested, at least a dozen protestors were injured. The protestors were part of the Spanish "Occupy Congress". Under Spanish law, people who lead demonstrations that effectively disrupt parliament (while it is in session) may be imprisoned for up to one year. It is not yet known if anyone will be charged with disrupting parliament.
Currently, Spain is experiencing 25% unemployment, with approximately 50% of people under 25 being unemployed. (http://www.social-europe.eu/2012/08/the-challenges-of-youth-unemployment...) The high youth unemployment is creating a lost generation in Spain, as young people are forced to emmigrate for economic reasons.
In June, the Euro Zone approved a 125 billion bailout to rescue Spanish banks from collapse. However, few believe that amount will be sufficient to allow Spain to recover. It is likely that Spain will have to borrow at least that amount again to stave off economic disaster. The world burns as we prepare for the Romney/Obama debates.......
Comments
Characteristics of a police state
Just today while out in the car, I was thinking of the may ways one could say the U.S. is a police state. As several factors contrive to create economic suffering and a general downturn in the fortunes of human kind, most of the 1% will do the natural human thing of comparing their own situation to that of those the police can keep at bay with rubber bullets. They will put their energy into ensuring that their position remains relatively better, not understanding that what goes around comes around, that running out of resources and starving only inflicts relative suffering for so long. Eventually, everyone suffers. I hope that made sense.
I think that picture is my new screen saver
It's just such a powerful indictment of the State's approach to perceived 'disobedience'. An unarmed protestor who is shielding his head as he is running away from a cop who is preparing to strike his fellow citizen in the back. The cop had time to consider his actions, the cop knows that this person is fleeing; yet this cop is going to strike him anyway.
I do understand what you're saying, however, I have a disagreement with you in that everyone suffers. Those who suffer the most are the one who are already economically marginalized and least able to endure new suffering. Those who suffer the least are those who can afford a hit on their financial statements, without altering their lifestyle in any measureable sense.
Yep
until the oceans collapse and othe ecological calamities which are likely to expand at an increasing rate. It may become a human death style more than lifestyle, and everyone will be "affected". I'm thinking of Rapa Nui.
that's a very powerful analogy
I've read some different people over the last few years making the Easter Island analogy. It's a powerful and frightening thought, but there is so much that fits it just makes one a little nauseous to think about it too long. Have you ever read Jared Diamond's book. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed? It has a section on Easter Island. Quite a disturbing book. Oh, have you seen the movie Rapa Nui? I have never seen it and I'm wondering how much trouble I should make to see it cause it looks pretty rough.