News from Around the Globe, October 13, 2012

A collection of current news stories from around the world.

 

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Spain ….the country protests austerity, the Powers that Be shrug.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/10/10/inenglish/1349893990_405197.html

Austerity measures are having a profound impact on the country of Spain. Catalan is the richest region in Spain and is pushing for independence to avoid the austerity measures that are being imposed on the country. A recent poll indicated that 75% of Catalonians want to secede from Spain. Austerity is quite literally destroying a country.

 

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http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/10/09/inenglish/1349787062_669831.html

Spanish politicians are now taking a page from our own President Nixon’s handbook by claiming that the protests in the streets do not represent the views of the country’s 47 million people. A silent majority exists that is in favor of the austerity reforms being implemented, but that their voices are drowned out by the protestors. This is a lengthy in depth analysis but highly readable.

 

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http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/10/03/inenglish/1349271592_399533.html

This is a very compelling article about a 26 year American citizen journalist (Tim Pool) who traveled to Spain to cover the protests. From St. Louis, he became interested in the Occupy movement and made his way to Chicago to see what was happening for himself. Along the way, he has become a citizen journalist with a sizable following of readers.

 

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Greece.....austerity measures near full implementation.

Unemployment in Greece is now 25% with the rate for those between the ages of 15-24 soaring to 55%. In light of this crisis the country is continuing to impose austerity measures.

http://www.balkanchronicle.com/index.php/economy/economy-news/resource/2...

Greece is considering leasing up to 40 uninhabited islands to reduce the country’s debt. For now, the country has ruled out an outright sell of islands and is focusing on leasing the public land as a way of raising revenue. Can we sell North Dakota to reduce American debt?

 

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http://www.balkanchronicle.com/index.php/economy/economy-news/business/2...

Surprisingly, Coca Cola is Greece’s largest company, and they are demonstrating the loyalty inherent in any good capitalistic enterprise by leaving the country and relocating to Switzerland. One can only hope that Greeks will never again drink Coca Cola.

 

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/25/christine-lagarde-imf-euro

This is a golden oldie that deserves another reading. The Guardian’s May 25, 2012 interview with International Monetary Fund head Christine Lagarde. She famously states in this interview that she cares more for the poor children of Africa than the Greek citizens she is so desperately trying to help through austerity. Despite the interview’s softball questions, this is a very revealing interview and shows Ms. Lagarde’s high opinion of herself.

 

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Czech Republic.....Dick Cheney is upset that the U.S. is not building a base near Prague.

http://www.thedaily.cz/u-s-base-should-have-been-built-near-prague-chene...

Poor irrelevant Dick Cheney is sad that Obama scrapped a plan to build a missile base near Prague.

 

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From Peru….the U.S. really just wants to help Peru, really, no seriously.

http://www.peruviantimes.com/06/u-s-defense-secretary-panetta-visists-pe...

Leon Panetta visited Peru (and Uruguay) to offer our ideas on how Peru can achieve their long range defense goals. Seriously, that’s all the trip was about; we just want to help our South American neighbors achieve their goals. Our history in Latin America clearly demonstrates that we are just friendly and helpful and only want what is best for our neighbors. Who could ever question our motives?

 

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From India…..the U.S. gave India a waiver to buy oil from Iran but forgot to include Mittal.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Lakshmi-Mitta...

In June of this year the U.S. granted India a waiver to the economic sanctions we imposed on Iran. This waiver allowed India to continue buying Iranian oil. However, Lakshmi Mittal (one of the ten richest people on the planet) wants to buy more oil for his company than is currently permitted. Being one of the world’s wealthy elites he has decided to ignore the sanctions and do what is best for his company. Recently, he purchased approximately 2 million barrels of Iranian oil. Ironic, isn’t it? The sanctions imposed on Iran are having a devastating effect on the average Iranian, but one of the world’s richest people refuses to be inconvenienced.

 

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