Greece faces "the spectre of bankruptcy" (again)

Member 55145

That's kind of what I'm hoping for.
The EU aren't taking Greece seriously enough, and we aren't even on their radar.
I like the idea of the EU but unfortunately France and Germany think they have the final say in any matter and the UK are just there as the unwanted cousin who has plenty of cash

Sve

TBH I do not think he does, Europe will not fall into the abyss, it will not implode and there will be no war. Maybe one or two more might leave the euro, even then it will not be the end of the world. It's a failed currency to start with as one cap does not fit all, I would further go on to say Germany would be in a much stronger position had the euro not been around.

johntheexpat

That's a very "British" view of the EU, one that is fed to everyone by the British media and not an idea that is corrected by HMG or any of the other vested interests.  I would say that every country in the EU has problems with all the others, in one form or another.  The political trick is to keep them all marching to the same tune, as best as one can.
Perhaps linking to France24 in English for an English language version of the French news, might provide a broader view of the reality that is Europe?

Enki

A world without Putin and a whole continent disaffected desperate people now turning to anger and being harnessed by fascists. I would share your optimism but I'm sticking with rhyming history.

Member 55145

Thanks for the tip. I am very distrusting of the Media and Gov. And often look at foreign news sites for info.

One that I always find amusing is the purported "Special relationship" the UK feels it has with the US.
When you look at a US news site it is quite apparent they don't give a toss about us.


Twin towers, PM denounced it within the hour

London bombings, President didn't say anything until a day later (yes they would of been on high alert but still...)

BP oil leak, lots of UK coverage
Bruncefield oil depo explosion, nothing


US/California elections, UK front page news is all over it before and after, PM and opposition giving opinion

UK elections/Scottish Referendum, US news is talking about troops in Afghanistan, Iraq bombing, President talking about universal healthcare, the latest celeb and their new poodle. Oh and that little box 7th row down that says "apparently the UK are doing something"

As an expat, especially if you were in the US, it must be hard to keep up on foreign affairs that don't concern the US directly.

You only have to look at the latest events in Tunisia which is all over UK news
In the US?
Yes it gets top spot.
But if you look at trending and travel... $30 for a sandwich?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Member 55145

Sorry those pics are bit small and can't change them on App
                                                                               
                                                                               
                                                                       

Cliff

Remember CNN is really an international news site! That's why the Tunisia shooting got quite a good mention. Look at the internal US TV news like NBC and CBS and Tunisia made very small ripples as no Americans were killed.

Member 55145

Yup, my point exactly

la gran siete

My problem is that people repeatedly ignore the lessons of history .They seem to think the world is different today and whatever led to conflicts in the past is unlikely  to happen in the near future .I say that is far less likely to be the case if EU does not fragment , it we remain united in a common cause promoting peace and prosperity through  trade, cooperation and free movement, in a spirit of interdependence .Fragment and we shall all become much weaker whilst  the old suspicions, lack of cooperativeness and down right hostility will reappear as sure as night follows day.At least that is my fear and Io nodding believe for one moment that NATO alone can prevent that.The use or threat of force alone, only works in totalitarian regimes and then lonely for a period of time.

The EU is far from perfect I accept that, but if one looks at the reasons for its formation and the basic principles behind  it then, for my money, its very well worthwhile persevering with albeit with some fairly radical reforms.At the moment its in the grip of a neo liberal/ nighmare which imposes draconian austerity measures on the very people who cannot afford to meet them and all the while the rich, who dont depend on publicly funded services but benefit hugely from tax cuts/ QE etc, fully endorse these measures because it suits them. Driving a wedge between rich and poor and increasing the wealth gap is not what the EU ( or the UK for that matter)should be about.
I dont know what Corbyn's position on the EU but i support his call for writing off a substantial part of Greece's debt and lets move on.
A I said before while I can understand peoples reluctance to be part of the EU and desire to leave it ,I cannot fathom why some wish to see its destruction. Its like me saying i dont like being part of something but I dont wish others to be either, even if it benefits them.If we must leave then let us to do so with good grace and hope the unity prevails for the sake of the member nations.
In the meantime we can grow loads of job trees which will bring sufficient fruit that will provide the jobs we lose as a result of Brexit. A new agrarian class  called peasantry to replace the existing East Europeans , will surface coupled with loads of sweatshop factories manned by wage slaves paid a pittance and with little or no employment rights so that we can compete with far eastern nations which have such factories in abundance.The rich and the affluent will, of course, love that, after all there is nothing quite like watching a bunch of scumbags tugging their forelocks in desperation as one walks past in all ones finery.Cameron and Osbourne fully approve.

mikeybabes2

They do indeed. Look at every large Empire throughout history that tries to force together different peoples and cultures under a single leadership. They have all fallen apart when placed under stress.